Greater Reach Ministries

Are Your Holiday Gatherings More Prickly Than Polite? (This Week's Guest Post)

2011-12-05T11:11:00.016-07:00

As image bearers of God, we feel that women have a voice. We thought it would be encouraging to provide a platform for more women writers to share their voices with all of you. We will begin including guest writers from time to time in our blog! I think you'll agree, once you read their thoughts, that these women have rich biblical principles and practical applications to share.

This week's featured guest writer, Samantha A. Wright, author of the blog, "a lil bird told me", is a ministry partner and friend of Greater Reach Ministries. You can read Samantha's bio at the end of this post.

Have you ever played the word association game? Lets try~I say chocolate, saliva develops as you sternly bark….’get me some!’ Or, I say ‘fruitcake’ and you say, ‘that wouldn’t even make my dog drool. Move on.’ What if I say, “family holiday gathering?” Be honest. Do you start perspiring even though it’s 65 degrees? Your eyes start to glaze over as you painfully realize Christmas is just around the corner. You are about to spend hours with people who don’t really like you. In fact, the family tree may be the only reason they gather with you at all.

At Christmas we ponder Jesus as light of the world. But, Matthew 5 states that we, Jesus’ followers, are the light of the world. Is it possible to be the ‘light of the world’ while spending time with family members? Yesterday while I was shopping, I gave the lady behind me in line 2 of my extra coupons. You would have thought I had given her a $20 bill. She was elated. That was easy. Why is it easier to be a light for Christ with a stranger? What happens to that thoughtful spirit in me when I get around my relatives? What is there about us that can be so stubborn about demanding our way when we are with family? Do I demand more from my relatives? Am I a poor communicator? Do my actions corroborate my words or discredit me?

Recently I had to answer these questions when I received a email from a family member that left me shaking. Angry. Hurt. Angry. Disgruntled. Angry. Hopeless. Did I mention ANGRY? It, however, was not a righteous anger. I had to ask myself why the letter caused so much anger within me. Perhaps it was because some of the things in the email were painfully true. Initially, I chose denial fervently building a case for myself of all the things in the letter that were not true. Not a good plan. Fortunately, after much prayer and seeking counsel, I snapped out of denial mode.

Many of the things in the email were not necessarily true, but the result of poor communication. But, regretfully, some of the things were true. My pride did not want to see where I was not being Christ like. Baggage from past interactions prevented me from loving as Christ calls me to love. But when I sought counsel and realized my actions were causing pain in the life of someone, I discovered that I needed to confess those things to God and ask His forgiveness. More importantly, I needed to ask my relative for forgiveness. That, my friend, was not an easy task. If I hear the word apologize the first thought that comes to my mind is, “Gulp, how do you eat an elephant?” Well, as I tell my girls, “you eat an elephant one bite at a time.” What do the first bites look like? Let me suggest the following.

Read Scripture. Perspective is everything and nothing provides perspective like God’s word. We need perspective when asking if there is something I have done to cause conflict in this relationship.

Go to the Person. No emails. No texts. Communication is 90% non-verbal and only 10% verbal. If distance prevents a face to face interaction, make a phone call.
Listen. Listen. Listen. Did I say listen? Our tendency is to defend ourselves. Resist this temptation. God is your defender and protector.

Admit Wrong. I had to say, “You are right. I have___, would you please forgive me?”
Make a Commitment. Tell the person you will try and not commit the offense again and take the necessary steps to back up your words. For me, the culprit was poor communication. I made a commitment to call in the future and not rely on others to communicate for me.

Does it work? A few weeks after our interaction, our families had the chance to get together. Instead of dreading the interaction, I went with hope that things would go better than they have in the past. I felt God’s peace and joy in doing what He has called me to do. Was it easy? No. Were there times I needed a breather and needed to be alone? Yes. But, I can honestly say I had a great time and am not dreading our next family get together.

What about you? Do you need to go to someone before that family holiday gathering and make things right? If so, here may be some utensils to help you eat that elephant one bite at a time~
◦ Read scripture
◦ Go to the person
◦ Listen. Listen. Listen
◦ Admit wrong
◦ Make a commitment

I would love to know how your ‘meal’ went over the holidays. Please comment or email and let me know!

About Samantha: Samantha is passionate about teaching others the truth, whether it is God’s word or every day life lessons. Samantha is a graduate of Phoenix Seminary, and her desire is to use her education, gift of writing, and the lessons God has taught her personally to help others deepen in their relationship with God . Samantha and her husband of 21 years, Tim, have two daughters, an African Grey Parrot ~ Solomon ~ and a yellow lab, AnnaBelle. Samantha uses the quirky life lessons she's learned from friends, strangers and even her African Grey parrot, Solomon, to write different stories.

To read more from Samantha, check out her blog entitled, "A lil bird told me".

Help Us Help Prisoners and Ex-Offenders Change Their Worldview with the Truth About Who They Are

2011-11-09T16:37:00.008-07:00

Our mission is to bring a message of hope to women that inspires and equips them to be all God made them to be. We have a wonderful opportunity to assist women leaders at Along Side Ministries in the discovery of their unique identity in Christ, so they can be even more effective in their ministry to women in prison and ex-offenders. Imagine the powerful testimony of hope these leaders could have by living out their unique calling and embracing the rich truths about their freedom in Christ and value to God as they mentor women in prison and ex-offenders.
Will you help us bring the message of hope that will make a difference for them, the prisoners and ex-offenders? Training and equipping begins January 6, 2012. We have received $100 toward our goal of $500 to cover the cost for materials.
If you want to help us unleash these women to live their potential for Christ, please send a check to Greater Reach Ministries, 8283 N. Hayden Rd. #258, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. Or donate on-line and write “prison ministry training.” Funds exceeding our budget will be re-directed to the general fund for Greater Reach Ministries.

Jesus Empowers You

2011-09-26T16:09:00.002-07:00

By the norms of the day, Christ’s actions throughout Scripture were scandalous! But He went about uninhibited. He healed and helped, forgave and lifted up, loved and blessed women. He even empowered them for a life of ministry. While society placed women among the lowest of the low and Jewish leaders often believed women to be incapable and unworthy of a religious education, Jesus intentionally included women in His Kingdom work. Reaching out to society’s outcasts made a most profound statement: Jesus freely brings personal significance to each of us, and offers eternal life for all.
As He traveled from place to place sharing the Good News, guess who joined Him and His twelve disciples? Yes, women (Luke 8:1-3). He valued their company and partnership in ministry. This was radical! Remember, women were not used to having a public presence. Their lives were lived primarily at home. Now Christ was including them in ministry partnership alongside men. He assigned both genders responsibility and influence as His partners in sharing the Good News.
He also empowered women as His witnesses. Just as the Samaritan woman ran to town shouting and testifying about Him (John 4:28-29), so too did the women tell others when they discovered He had risen from the dead. Women were the first to discover His empty tomb (Luke 24:1-12), and the resurrected Christ “appeared first to Mary Magdalene” (Mark 16:9). He wanted women to spread the greatest news in the history of time! It goes to show what a radical concept this was when we see that none of the men believed what they said (Mark 16:11, Luke 24:11). Men were accustomed to dismissing a woman’s testimony. But if Christ had agreed, He never would have entrusted women with this task.
Time and time again, as Jesus walked the earth teaching and loving, interacting with and ministering to people, He never failed to communicate significance to women. His intentions and character are consistent. While people look at the exterior, He looks at the heart. While the world may shame you for being a woman, He elevates you. While people love conditionally, He loves unconditionally. When men, women, and the whole of society degrade you, He reminds you of your priceless value.
Believe it! Own it! Act on it! Jesus loves you, values you and has come to give you life to the full (John 10:10).

This blog is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of the book “Who Do You Think You Are.” Order your copy today >>Purchase book

Hope Floats

2011-09-16T16:32:00.001-07:00

A Sandra Bullock movie was released more than ten years ago called “Hope Floats.” Whether or not you’ve seen it, don’t you think just the title itself is compelling? You don’t need to know the storyline to resonate with the joyful buoyancy of hope.

Hope is a chest and chin lifter. It is a burst of fresh air when you’ve been trapped in a dark and stale basement. It is a lifesaver when you are floundering in the deep ocean sea.

Hope is simple … it’s not showy, it’s not dramatic. But it floats. And when you are about to be pulled under the water’s surface, it’s all you need to keep from drowning.

The Bible has much to say about hope. One passage I’ve always found interesting is 1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Because I am such a fan of hope, I used to be discouraged that it wasn’t “the greatest of these.” But then I realized that perhaps love is greatest because it is the only one that will be present with us through eternity in heaven (“for if you already have something, you don’t need to hope for it” (Romans 8:24, NLT)).

In heaven, where believers in Jesus Christ will spend eternity, faith and hope will not be present. Faith will not be necessary because we will be living in the presence of the One in whom faith is currently required. And hope will not be there because we will lack nothing; we will have no reason to grasp for the buoyancy of hope … we ourselves will be buoyant!

But for now, while we are here on earth, I love what 1 Peter 1: 3-5 has to say about our living hope, and what we have to look forward to in heaven: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Are you downtrodden today? Take a firm grip on hope in Jesus Christ! This is hope that floats.

Pressures, Process and Promotion

2011-09-06T13:47:00.006-07:00

In His priestly prayer toward the end of His mission on earth, Jesus speaks to the Father, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” John 17:4.

Likewise, as disciples of Jesus following His example, we glorify God by completing the work He’s given us to do. God told us in His word that we are His workmanship created to walk in the good works, which He prepared in advance. The question remains for some of us, how do we discover this ultimate purpose, which He prepared in advance for us personally? Or better yet, how do we get there?

Recently, I had the opportunity to listen to a powerful, dynamic teacher, Dr. Lance Wallnau, who has completed a lifetime of research on organizational and personal transformation. He desires to encourage others to find their purpose and fulfill that one thing God has called them to do. Since this relates to what we teach here at Greater Reach Ministries through our Who Do You Think You Are? Class, I’d like to share some highlights of his insightful and articulate teaching.
First, He mentioned a study from Fuller Seminary graduates. The study concluded that 80% of Fuller Seminary graduates, at the peak of their career, had not reached their ultimate purpose. He then defined convergence to be the place where your passion, divine gifting, and divine timing meet. It’s the place where you are at your affinity, your calling and your ultimate purpose for the Kingdom. In convergence, you will experience divine favor. This means that people will be drawn to you because of a quality of God in you. People who are given divine favor are usually those who have “an extraordinary dialogue with heaven”.

So, how do we reach this place of divine favor and maximizing our gifts and passions? According to Dr. Wallnau, it will be appointed to you by God at the right time. God is the one who puts you into the future. It’s not something you achieve, but it’s something that He does in you and for you. Dr. Wallnau feels that everyone is in a season of “process” until they reach their destiny, where they also may experience many pressures of preparation.
Are you currently in a difficult season, and anxious to arrive at your convergence? He encouraged and exhorted us by reminding us that God shakes our circumstances to refine our gifts for our purpose. You’re also defining your passion. Jesus’ passion was the sheep. He laid down His life for His sheep. In order to lay down your life, there has to be something you love more than your own life. You’re also developing your skills now, and if you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough.

Dr. Wallnau feels that anyone can be happy in their current circumstance if they make a connection between what they are going through now and their ultimate destiny. He shared that most people quit because they don’t understand the process. God is using your current pressures for your own promotion. He can relieve the pressure, and release you from your potential, or he can leave it and see if you crack. He feels that this process involves a stretching of who you are to give you greater identity. Dr. Wallnau provided the example of Joseph’s challenging process, which led Him to His promotion.

Obviously waiting is active, so, what can we do in our walk with God during the process to help us prepare? If, like Joseph, God has given you a vision for the future, during your season of “process”, you can look to that next level. Ask yourself what are the characteristics of those currently at the next level? Who will I have to become that I’ve never been before? You can also ask yourself, who will God have to be for me that He’s never been before once I get there? This is the character you can begin to develop with the Lord during your process. Remember, you are God’s workmanship, and He is working in you to develop you for this next level. It’s in His timing, not our own, that you will arrive. Feel like quitting? Of course, God gives grace and will love you just the same, but you will be missing out on the satisfaction of living a purposeful life for His glory!

--By Alyssa Spitale

Become a Sponsor Today

2011-08-18T16:15:00.004-07:00

Make a Difference in an Ex-Offender's World

67% of the women in Arizona prisons return within 3 years. Christian ex-offenders need to hear that God loves them, they are significant to Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. They need to grow in understanding that their true identity is in Christ, and discover practical ways to change their thinking and behavior so they do not return to their old ways... and to prison.Your love offering will make it possible for Christian ex-offenders enrolled in the Women's Discipleship Program at Along Side Ministries to hear the good news about their identity by attending the 8-week class "Who Do You Think You Are?"Will you help us make a difference in their lives? We need to raise $50 per woman to cover materials, administrative and travel expenses.Please write "ex-offender class" in the memo section of your check and send your gift to: Greater Reach Ministries at:

Greater Reach Ministries
8283 N. Hayden Road # 258
Scottsdale, AZ 85258

Or online: donate here

Jesus Defies Culture: The Woman at the Well (excerpt 5 of 5)

2011-08-11T14:23:00.004-07:00

You are catching the final entry of a series of posts with excerpts from my book, “Who Do You Think You Are?” focusing on Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the water well (John 4:1-30).

Read the first post >> { entry #1}
Read the second post >> {entry #2}
Read the third post >> {entry #3}
Read the fourth post >> {entry #4}
Buy the book now >> {link}

In the book, a two-column chart displays the information below. It considers what the cultural and traditional norms were at the time, and contrasts them with how Jesus, the “radical rabbi,” behaved toward the Samaritan woman.

Culture & Traditional Dictated Behavior: A rabbi could not speak to a woman in public.

The Radical Rabbi’s Behavior: Christ speaks to a Samaritan woman. Christ rejected Jewish teaching forbidding talking to women.

Culture & Traditional Dictated Behavior: Jewish leaders considered woman incapable of understanding religious teaching.

The Radical Rabbi’s Behavior: Christ though she was capable of learning.

Culture & Traditional Dictated Behavior: Jewish leaders considered a woman unworthy of religious teaching.

The Radical Rabbi’s Behavior: Christ thought she was worthy and wanted to include her in the plan of salvation.

Culture & Traditional Dictated Behavior: Women were not considered reliable witnesses in Israel.

The Radical Rabbi’s Behavior: Christ knew she would be a witness for Him.

Culture & Traditional Dictated Behavior: Rabbinic law stated that Samaritan women were considered unclean.

The Radical Rabbi’s Behavior: Christ defied this tradition. He rejected Jewish teaching regarding uncleanness.

Culture & Traditional Dictated Behavior: Religious segregation was normal for both women and Samaritans.

The Radical Rabbi’s Behavior: Christ defied this tradition.Culture & Traditional Dictated Behavior: A man would never drink from a woman.

Jesus Defies Culture: The Woman at the Well (excerpt 4 of 5)

2011-07-28T11:34:00.009-07:00

You are joining in the middle of a series of posts with excerpts from my book, “Who Do You Think You Are?” focusing on Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the water well (John 4:1-30).

We also know that Jewish leaders of the day considered a woman incapable of a religious education. Jesus engaged her on a deep spiritual level of conversation almost immediately, challenging her understanding of religious teachings. She tried to keep the conversation at the surface, asking about the proper place for worship. Jesus let her ask, then gently guided her back to a level where He could engage her heart. He taught her that what was really important was not where you worship, but whether you worship in spirit and in truth. That was pretty deep for a conversation at a well.

Not only did Jewish leaders consider a woman incapable of a religious education, they saw her as UNWORTHY. Jesus deemed her capable AND worthy of learning … worthy enough to offer her salvation. He tells her that if she knew the gift of God and who it was asking her for a drink, she would have asked Him and He would have given her living water. Jesus invited her into God’s eternal plan.

Finally, women were not considered reliable witnesses in Israel. If Jesus had wanted to spread His Good News through a “respectable” method, He would have had such an encounter with a man. Instead, He chose a Samaritan woman who so changed by their interaction that the first thing she does is witness to her community. She runs and shouts throughout the village, “Come, and see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (verse 29). The Samaritan woman goes from avoiding people in the morning to seeking them out in the afternoon! What happened to her? Do you think her view of herself was changed? What happened to the shame she surely must have felt earlier that same day?

On so many levels Jesus defied tradition and culture in this encounter. Before they met this woman felt alienated, used, and abused. But in this one brief conversation she is given a profound message about her true value—one she had likely never heard in all her years. Through their encounter she became both a member and a messenger of God’s Kingdom. Jesus changed her life! She was liberated, His redeemed image-bearer. She received and responded to His unconditional acceptance of her. This is how Jesus Christ wants to change you today.Stay tuned for the next post with more from "Who Do You Think You Are?"

What a Great Time We Had!

2011-07-20T10:19:00.006-07:00

Every time I teach our 8 week class based on my book, “Who Do You Think You Are?” I think, “Wow, this is a great group of women! Best ever!” Though I have taught this class many times now, each time I wonder if the next group of women is going to be as awesome as the last. Well, they are as awesome as the last class! Lyn Fish, our newest staff member, and I taught the 8 week class in May and June, and let me tell you, I am as blessed as anyone to have had the privilege of teaching women who are smart, ready to grow, and blended together into such a harmonious group of believers! Just listen to what a couple of the women said who attended:

“The class was a real blessing. I received confirmation that I am right where God wants me to be and I have already used some of the class information with my mentee. In addition, I am finalizing my Mission Statement which I would not have done without the class so that's a huge blessing.” Lynn Austin

“I know how precious I am to my Savior now. I no longer carry guilt and shame of my childhood and I am as valuable to God as my brothers are. I never knew that. I thought I was here to be their servant. In reality I am here to serve the Lord in whatever ways He calls me to.” Maria Chez

I can’t imagine anything more thrilling and fulfilling than to be able to encourage and equip these precious ones to take the next step on their spiritual journeys. I truly count it a joy, and am grateful to God that He has given me the gift of this ministry. I would love for every woman I know to learn and experience the truths that we discover ed together in 8 short weeks.

If you haven’t taken this class yet and you want to, let us know and we will keep you informed as to when and where it will be taught again. Join us! It could change your life!

Jesus Defies Culture: The Woman at the Well (excerpt 3 of 5)

2011-07-11T16:07:00.005-07:00

You are joining in the middle of a series of posts with excerpts from my book, “Who Do You Think You Are?” focusing on Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the water well (John 4:1-30).

Read the first post >> Entry #1

Read the second post >> Entry #2

Buy the book now>> Click Here

The culture came head-to-head with Christ’s behavior. Consider the ways this encounter was so radical, and how many man-made rules He broke. Most striking, rabbinical law stated that Samaritan women were considered unclean. Jesus rejected this Jewish teaching by reaching out to a mixed-race female (that’s two strikes against her), AND whose morality was in question. It would never cross the mind of any “good Jew” to treat this person as a fellow human being.

Secondly, a godly Jewish man, let alone a rabbi (teacher), was not to speak to a woman in public. Men simply did not speak to women in public. In fact, a husband would not even address his wife if he saw her on the street! Yet Jesus, a revered rabbi, willingly initiates conversation with this down-and-out, mixed-race female at one of the village’s social hot spots.

Thirdly, religious segregation was standard for both women and Samaritans. Not only would a Jewish man never drink from a woman’s cup, a rabbi would never even associate with a “sinner.” Think now about how Jesus opened his conversation with the Samaritan woman by asking to have a drink from her cup! This surely alarmed her. He asked to drink from the cup of a woman viewed by the culture to be in a constant state of uncleanness. That’s radical! His request would have been like a white man drinking from a fountain marked “colored only” in Alabama in the 1950s. But here, Jesus Christ Himself not only asks for a drink, He engages in a lengthy conversation with, a woman “sinner” … in public.

Check back here for the next post with more from “Who Do You Think You Are?”

Jesus Defies Culture: The Woman at the Well (excerpt 2 of 5)

2011-06-24T14:33:00.002-07:00

You are joining in the middle of a series of posts with excerpts from my book, “Who Do You Think You Are?” focusing on Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the water well (John 4:1-30).

Read the first post

Buy the book now

"Now consider the Samaritan woman. Today she would be called a loser. She was seen as such by her community because she had been married five times and was considered immoral. To the Jews she was inferior because she was of mixed race, the wrong religion, a female, and to top it off, she was living an immoral life. She was “defective goods.” While she had been married many times, we do not know whether the immorality was her fault. Divorce law weighed heavily in favor of men, and some of her husbands may have just put her out of the house. Or maybe they were killed in battles. We do not know.
Regardless, the culture defined her as an outcast to be ignored and shunned. Consider her self-image. Who did she think she was? She must have felt pretty low. On a scale ranging from one to ten, she possibly felt a zero. She was used, abused, and alienated—just as so many women have been through the ages and still are around the world are today. Perhaps you identify closely with this woman.
The woman came to the well alone in the middle of the day, which was an unusual time to collect water. The well was a gathering place, a social hub. The women of the village would gather there in the mornings to retrieve their water for the day. But this Samaritan likely felt rejected by her peers and was trying to make do with life on the bottom rung of the social ladder by becoming invisible. So she went to the well when she was sure no one else would be there."

Stay tuned for the next post with more from “Who Do You Think You Are?”

Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Answered Prayers

2011-06-20T15:13:00.005-07:00

What a great trip I had to Eastern Europe in May!

My purpose in going to the European Leadership Forum (a well respected leadership training conference that has been in existence for about nine years) was to connect with many of the five hundred-plus ministry leaders from all over Europe and share our vision for the Global Training Institute for Women (GTI). The Forum was held in Eger, Hungary, and was a rich time of learning and connecting (the weather was great, too!). I was praying that God would lead me to the people He wanted me to talk to … and He did! One such person was Evghenii Sologubenco, president of Moldova Biblical Seminary. He is very excited about what we are doing and even wants to help support women who he can recommend to attend.

I met with the senior pastor of a church in the Republic of Georgia, and a woman from Georgia who works with the Christian Union there. Both were so eager for what I was sharing about. They agreed: “You will have one hundred women wanting to come from our country alone!”

Then we travelled to Slovakia where we spent two days with Tomas and Ester Kriskova. He is a pastor, and she works with International Needs, an organization we have partnered with in the past in Romania. After sharing the GTI plan and vision with them, she said, “I have taught many of the topics on your curriculum grid. But I have never had a systematic way of presenting this material. You are adding the missing piece!” She also said that she was excited about the mentoring component and added, “We don’t have older Christian women as role models. None.” She, too, wants to be involved.

To top it off, a woman who heads up a publishing house in Norway sought me out to talk to me about the possibilities of translating my book, “Who Do You Think You Are” into Norwegian! Wow! I am certainly open to this new opportunity.

I am grateful to God for safety in travel, good health, and making all connections (though at one point I thought we were going to miss our train to Slovakia because our other train was late). God is at work. There is more, much more. Please just know that I appreciate your prayers, support and involvement with me and the rest of the GTI as we plow the ground and plant seeds for God’s Kingdom!

Jesus Defies Culture and Meets You at the Well (Series 1 of 5)

2011-06-15T13:19:00.002-07:00

One of my favorite portions of Scripture from the life of Christ is John 4:1-30. This is the account of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the water well. On so many levels this passage strikes me. It teaches how radically God pointedly pursues me and you – all women of every race and region – in His great love for us.
This is the first of five blog entries where I share excerpts from my book, “Who Do You Think You Are?” If you like what you read and want more, as they say, “where that came from,” buy the book for yourself today(click here)! In addition to grounding you in your true identity as God’s image-bearer, it will also help you joyfully uncover and live out your unique purpose in life. You will not be disappointed!

Jesus Defies Culture: The Woman at the Well (excerpt 1 of 5)

"Jesus assigned women new freedom, status, and roles. He began reforming the Jewish patriarchal system as it had been established in the Old Testament. When you read John 4:1-30, you see an account of Jesus’ interaction with a Samaritan woman at the water well, and it reveals just how radically His actions flew in the face of society. He rejected several rabbinical teachings in this passage, and His behavior made no sense to those around him.

Starting with verse 3 we read, “When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.” Galilee is north of Judea with Samaria in between. The Jews wouldn’t step foot in Samaria if they could possibly help it. There was a long-standing hatred between Jews and Samaritans. The Samaritans were a mixed-race people, half Assyrian and half Jewish, and their religion was a mixture of Judaism and other beliefs. Any mixing of the Jewish race or their religion was detested by the Jews. This hatred was so common, a well-known rabbinical ordinance stated, “Let no Israelite eat one mouthful of anything that is a Samaritan’s, for if he eats but a mouthful, he is as if he ate swine’s flesh.”1 Swine was an unclean food, forbidden for Jews to eat. The Jews considered the Samaritans to be unclean, just like pork.

To avoid going through Samaria, Jews would walk an extra seventeen miles to cross the Jordan and go around—basically doubling the length of the journey. Still today, two thousand years later, there are Jews who refuse to go through certain portions of the land. But verse 4 tells us that Jesus “HAD to go through Samaria” (emphasis mine). When any good Jew would not step foot in Samaria but go the extra distance just to avoid doing so, this statement should prompt us to ask, WHY? Apparently, Jesus had a God-ordained appointment with a woman who needed to know Him."

Check back here for the next post with more from “Who Do You Think You Are?”

Like Having a Map in a Foreign Country …

2011-06-06T16:20:00.008-07:00

Who do you think you are?
If I could sit down with you right now over a cup of coffee, that’s what I’d ask you. (That’s right, I’m not much for small talk!) I’m not asking what you do for a living or who you’re married to or how you’re related to someone important. I’m wondering just who, exactly, you think you are!
The question is also the title of my latest book, one from which I share the excerpt below. May it get the wheels of your mind turning, and may it prompt you to ask hard, heartfelt questions of the Lord. He longs to meet you in your need … He longs to answer your deepest questions of identity.

When someone has embraced her true identity she can begin to live out the unique calling God has placed on her life. The first step to living your calling is to internalize a biblical perspective of your identity. My hope is that you will do
this in the same way you would take hold of a map in a foreign country.

Imagine never having set foot in a strange land. Everything is new. You don’t recognize the language people speak, let alone know how to read it. You can’t tell north from south. So how in the world would you get from point A to point B? A map or a GPS device would become your one source for even the slightest feeling of reassurance in this uncomfortable situation.

(My husband) Fred is not intimidated by such unfamiliarity. He loves the adventure of striking out into the unknown. His attitude is best summarized every time he exclaims with a smile on his face, “I can figure it out!” I, however, like to know where I am going. I relish the feeling of a map in my hands or the sight of a GPS device mounted on the dash of my vehicle.

Once when we were traveling together in Budapest, we needed to head out of town toward Romania. Without a GPS available, we circled the city for half an hour. When we drove past our hotel for the second time, once again at ground zero,
Fred finally admitted he needed a map. Ah … direction. True direction! The map we bought was new. It was up-to-date and reliable. We could trust it. And thanks to the map – viola! – we were on our way.

We clung to it because we were lost without it. And now, no matter what anyone told us, we knew the lay of the land. Should a stranger have offered directions contrary to our map, we would have smiled and said, “Thanks, but no thanks.” We could confidently drown out every voice contrary to the map because we knew it was right! We could rely on it and dismiss any confusing directions offered to us by well-meaning strangers.

This is what a biblical worldview of your identity does for you. It drowns out every lie and twisting of the truth that stands opposed to God’s truth. It stands secure, steady, and true while your fickle feelings, faulty assumptions, the media, poor role models and other such worldly influences mercilessly attack it. But nothing else matters when you hold the truth in your possession. You know who you are.

If you like what you read and want more, as they say, “where that came from,” buy the book today! Click here to purchase!

Why the Middle East? Why Now?

2011-05-13T11:14:00.002-07:00

Protests. Rebels. Riots.

Unrest. Turmoil. Upheaval.

The Middle East is teeming with instability and change. The political landscape doesn’t necessarily reflect the spiritual landscape, but the two are intertwined on some level. If the political scene can accurately be described as unpredictable, so too can the spiritual climate be described as insecure.

Questions abound right now for women in the Middle East. The current environment creates new opportunities for the Gospel; it heightens people’s awareness of their need for answers. We at Greater Reach, through our friends, ministry partners, and our own missions trips, have witnessed firsthand this great spiritual hunger.

The door right now is wide open! We don’t know how long this will hold true … so we must walk through it!

1. Women are telling us they don’t know what it is to be valued as an Image-bearer. The truth that women are valuable and loved is simply not said, heard, or shown in the Middle East. More than 90 percent of the population is Muslim. What this means is that if a woman becomes a follower of Jesus Christ, it’s a tall order that she would also claim a Christian worldview right away … if at all. Because Muslim culture permeates everything, even the deepest parts of a woman’s soul, it may be next to impossible for a new Christian to see God as a loving, grace-filled Father. For a woman to see herself with dignity and value as God does … this is a complete worldview shift that directly opposes everything ingrained in her by the culture.

2. Women are telling us they want to be educated in the Bible. Such programs are simply not available. Well-intended efforts by foreign missionaries in the past have often failed because their approach was like that of a “drive-by Gospel shooting.” Christian groups come in with their own agenda, fail to truly get to know the women, and leave little impact.
We have seen the need. We have heard the cry. We are responding with the launch in 2012 of the Middle East Global Training Institute for Women. Our goal is to unleash women of influence to impact their world for Jesus Christ. As we get to know them on their own turf, we will also educate and mentor them in Biblical understanding, character development, and ministry skills … all the while building them up as God’s precious children.

It’s an exciting cause. The time is now. The place is the Middle East. Won’t you join us in impacting lives for all eternity?

Send us an email today for more information about the Global Training Institute for Women: info@greaterreach.com.

Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and May In Between

2011-05-09T10:40:00.003-07:00

May is a month of honor. Starting it off, on Sunday, May 8, we observed Mother’s Day. Wrapping it up, we have Memorial Day on Monday, May 30. And in between, a new group of women will be immersed in a class I am teaching based on my book, “Who Do You Think You Are.” The common theme in all of these? God’s abundant love for each one of us.

On Mother’s Day, I could see God’s bright smile on mothers everywhere. No mother is perfect, and no mother is expected to be. Instead, she is called to a life of love. Through our heavenly Father’s sweet presence and strong Word we are equipped for the task at hand. And by His grace He fills in the gaps.

Moms of young children and moms of adult children know so well the words of 1 John 3:18, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” A mother’s words impact us, of course, but it’s the consistent love she demonstrates in her actions day in and day out that shapes us. By her example we see a reflection of God’s posture toward us—arms wide open, eager to embrace His children.

Memorial Day is a national holiday in America allowing us to give tribute those who have given their lives in service to our country. As we consider the great, bold sacrifice our troops have made for us, we thank God for the privileges afforded us here in the land of the free. And we pause to thank Him for the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross, purchasing our freedom from sin and death.

In between May’s two “M” holidays, you have a month of days lying wide open in wait. You can let them slip by without nary a second thought. Or you can approach them intentionally, eager to embrace God’s love and be a conduit of His love in others’ lives. I hope the latter for you, and for all of the women in my “Who Do You Think You Are” class. May God’s great love fill us to overflowing, that we might spill over with it into others’ lives in a tangible, intentional way.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Give A Lasting Gift This Mother's Day!

2011-05-02T09:22:00.009-07:00

Flowers fade and chocolates melt, but a woman’s true identity lasts for eternity.

This Mother’s Day, give your mom a gift that will get her rooted in God’s truth and flourishing as the unique woman He has created her to be. Dr. Kristin Beasley’s latest book, “Who Do You Think You Are,” unveils every woman’s priceless value, no matter who they are or what they’ve been through. Zero room for doubt remains after you discover how each Person of the Trinity meets each of a woman’s three core needs. And with the tools presented in this book, life transformation is possible for anyone … from 18 to 98!
With biblical wisdom, current research, and firsthand stories, Dr. Beasley helps you answer that one nagging question (“who do you think you are?”) with resounding clarity.Order your copy for Mom today: Click Here to Order

The book is already in 15 countries, changing lives across cultural divides. Check out one reader’s feedback!

When the World Presses In, Press On

2011-04-27T09:51:00.003-07:00

I don’t care how old you are. If you’re old enough to be reading this, you’re old enough to know that along with life’s blessings and joys comes life’s setbacks and disappointments. You don’t need me to tell you that. Maybe you’re tired. Maybe you’re burdened. Perhaps you’ve become so accustomed to discouragement that now you stand on borderline hopelessness. So … how do you deal when you feel you’ve been given more than your fair share of trials?

The world will tell you several things:

· “Time to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps!”
· “Buck up, Kiddo, no one said life would be easy.”
· “Try harder.”
· “It’s a cruel world out there. You need to stand up for Number One no matter who gets in the way.”

None of these is helpful. None of these will actually get you anywhere. But because we live in the world, we by default hear the world’s so-called advice.

Praise God, what He has to speak into your situation is entirely different. Here are just a few things He wants you to know right now in your struggle:

· “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)
· “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
· “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30)
· “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5:10)

God’s words are truth. Do you believe what He is saying to you in the verses above? It’s one thing to acknowledge what He says, it’s quite another to live by what He says.

It’s also probably obvious to you that the Lord is not promising to make your troubles disappear in an instant. Rather, He reveals what is to be your focus during this time of trial: Himself. You center your attention on Him by spending time with Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6). Think about Him as your Help, Savior and Friend. And then what? “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

But if you’re still wondering how to think about anything other than what’s weighing you down, consider the very next verse: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

What is holding you back today? Do you need to take some time in prayer right now to confess your unbelieving heart and wayward thoughts? Do you need to ask for God’s grace to help you really live by His truth? Talk to Him. Let Him meet you in your need. He’s eager to hear from you and walk with you through your struggle.

“Who Do You Think You Are” Book Feedback

2011-04-14T14:43:00.005-07:00

If you ask any of us here at Greater Reach about the book “Who Do You Think You Are,” you’ll hear nothing but good things. (We can’t help it … we love it. We believe its message has life-changing power.) But you can’t just take our word for it! Women around the world are excited about it, too.

Read this unedited book recommendation from reader Susan Marovic:

“Women looking for a greater role in the world and wanting to know how to be MORE . . . this is the book for you. Dr. Beasley explores some of our assumptions about ourselves and how our families helped us form these assumptions. For example, “when we have a painful emotional experience, we women often blame ourselves.” I do not know of a woman who has not done this very same thing. She helps us find out if our assumptions about ourselves are rooted in our culture or society and how to come up with more accurate views of ourselves. Jesus communicated a true respect for women in His day and was quite revolutionary in His thinking. ‘Jesus intentionally included women in His Kingdom work’ helped me realize that God has a definite place and job for me in His Kingdom. “

Another area that helped me understand others was the area of self-esteem. This is one of the fruits of skewed assumptions about ourselves. For example, Dr. Beasley states:

“‘If you have chronic low self-esteem, I need to tell you that you are most likely self-absorbed. Women with low self-esteem are as self-absorbed as the biggest egomaniac because their thoughts revolve around themselves, their problems, and how bad or unworthy they are. This will hold you back from accomplishing anything.’

“She also helped me understand that my career is not necessarily a mandate from God—‘your personal mandate is about something much bigger than a paycheck. It involves your entire life, not just your working hours.’

“This book is written for the woman with a busy career AND a woman who does not work but desires true significance—it IS more than a paycheck, despite what the world would have you believe!”

And there you have it … straight from not our lips, but from the fingertips of an eager reader!

Perhaps you or someone you know will have more than an “ah ha!” moment when you read this book; you may have an entire reawakening to the person God created you to be. You may unearth the very specific purpose for this life He has called you to live. Don’t wait! ORDER NOW

By: Kristin Beasley (Jodi Carlson)

The Feast of Your Dreams

2011-04-05T11:28:00.006-07:00

Let’s say you’re invited to the White House for a once-in-a-lifetime dinner gala. Of course you buy a new dress and wear the most painful heels. But the dinner rewards you a hundred-fold. It is nothing short of spectacular. You eat five courses of endless deliciousness. Every bite of each dish is proof that you’ve died and gone to heaven. Exquisite flavors. Divine delight. Nothing was held back in the preparations for this fine feast! Now, what if you were given the original recipes that the chefs used, and you wanted to go home and recreate each of them so that your family could taste what you did? The task may seem daunting. You don’t have the same expensive cooking tools or equipment. You don’t have access to the rare ingredients that were used. You don’t have the time, and you certainly don’t possess the cooking prowess.

There in your own home, the flavors fading fast from your tongue, you’re tempted to settle. You want to make substitutions and take shortcuts. In the end, you’ll serve the meal on your worn and chipped dinnerware. You may have started this task with gusto, but along the way, the difficulties cause you to shrug your shoulders and settle for something that’s a poor imitation of the original.

Now, what if I told you your God-given dreams face the same threat? The truth is, God has mighty plans for you. They are as specific as each of the five courses of that White House meal. God’s plans for you are wonderful and magnificent! When we first realize them, we rejoice as a hungry dinner gala guest. But when it comes time for us to pursue His dreams for our lives (which He places in our hearts), we feel we’ve been given a recipe card and nothing else. There’s no way we can create the feast ourselves! We balk at the thought. We stall under the obstacles (our grocery store doesn’t carry those exotic ingredients.) We become frozen by the setbacks (20-year-old cookware). We see a cook who doesn’t stand a chance (our own lack of training and skill).

It’s SCARY!

It’s certainly IMPOSSIBLE!

So, we then do one of two things: we try making cheap substitutions for the real dream along the way, or we give up on the dream entirely. Neither one is what God wants for us.

What He wants is to bring His dreams to fruition in your life! He does not want your obstacles to have the last say. He does not want you substituting. Or whining. Or giving up. What He wants is for you to take your inexperience, your lack of resources, your skeptical outlook, and give it all to Him. He is the Master Chef. HE has the experience. HE has the resources. HE has the ways and means. HE will accomplish His purpose for your life.

So, how do you embrace the impossible dream? You recognize that you are not the chef, after all. He is. You are His assistant. You are to listen for His voice in the kitchen and respond by doing what He asks. It’s your life, yes, but they are His dreams. Obstacles do not have the last say. You are to simply bring your insufficiencies and shortcomings to Him. Let Him slice, dice, and blend up the perfect concoctions … His dreams for your life.

He wants the feast of your dreams even more than you do. Together, the two of you will accomplish “the impossible!”

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

By: Kristin Beasley (Jodi Carlson)

Take a Seed, Bloom a Flower

2011-03-25T13:10:00.002-07:00

When you look at a plumeria seed, what do you see? (Don’t think too hard.) I see a seed. That’s it. That’s all. Just a seed.
When you look at a fully bloomed plumeria, what do you see? Again – it’s not hard. I see a plant sprouting gorgeous blooms of flowers (and I smell heaven itself!).
Hold the seed side-by-side with the flower and it’s hard to believe that the one will become the other. Of course, this transformation doesn’t happen in an instant. It actually takes many, many months, even years. And it requires a few external sources … good soil, rays of sunshine, cups of water, an ideal climate. All combine to grow a simple little seed into a radiant, eye-catching sight to behold.
Now, if a plumeria seed’s purpose was to remain a seed for life, it would be a sad existence, don’t you think? We might not ever give it the attention it deserves. But because we know that this seed is made for more, we care for it. We love, nurture, and tend to it. When we hold this seed, we don’t reach to chuck it in the garbage can; we reach for the potting soil and the watering pail. May I suggest that when you hold this seed, you are holding a nugget of potential.
We at Greater Reach are seed-finders, seed-lovers, and gorgeous-flower-bloomers. We meet and minister to women around the globe who are at a hard point in life, but all we can see is their God-given potential for more. He has a calling on their lives that they just don’t see … yet. They think they are stuck, destined to be a seed forever. But we get to bring them the Good News of Jesus Christ! We get to show them their true identity and their real potential made possible by His great gift on the cross. It’s an exciting honor! It keeps us moving forward, continually investing in “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40).
To whom are you ministering? With whom do you need to share the Good News? To whom do you need to unveil the reality that a seed is just a seed for the moment? By the power of the Holy Spirit, a life blooming with beauty and purpose lies just ahead!

By: Kristin Beasley (Jodi Carlson)

Ruba, Synergy, New News!

2011-03-15T17:56:00.008-07:00

What great times we have had at Greater Reach... Ruba, founder of Arab Woman Today Ministries, was here for a meeting with our Global Training Institute for Women team. She gave very helpful information on launching our training program in the Middle East. We couldn't be more excited about it! Ruba is sitting on the right, between me and Simone Lake.

Then I had the privilege of travelling to the Synergy Conference in early March...I presented two workshops and connected with some awesome women of God. Judy Douglas, in the picture on top, and wife of Campus Crusade for Christ president Steve Douglas, is pictured with me.

Finally, we welcomed Lyn Fish, from Avant Ministries, to our staff and she is already proving herself to be a real gift from God!

Oh, and I continue to get positive feedback from women who have read and benefitted from "Who Do You Think You Are"! It is now listed on Barnes and Noble's web site. Order some copies and find out what women are talking about! Thanking God today for all He is doing, Kristin

God at Work: In Us and Through Us!

2011-02-10T14:20:00.004-07:00

We are all very excited at what God is doing in us and through us at Greater Reach Ministries...we lost (well, we didn't lose, but she definitely had a life change of direction) a staff member, Caye Siller, to marriage last month. She moved to Michigan and hopes to do some ministry travel with us in the future. Congratulations, Caye.

Pictured on the right: The GRM board celebrating my birthday. We had a Board meeting/retreat last month where we did lots of dreaming and planning as well as praying and rejoicing over God's goodness to us!

And we are adding a new staff person, Lyn Fish. I am very excited about this and well tell you more later. We are also moving ahead with the Global Training Institute for Women, launching Lord willing in the Middle East next spring.

Please keep us in your prayers. The resistance to life-changing truth can be formidable, but God is greater than the resistance we face and loves to show His gentle, mighty power. To God be the glory!

Middle East Travels

2011-01-19T16:13:00.003-07:00

Meeting with the head of the Palestinian Bible Society in the former offices of the head of the PLO-celebrating Orthodox Christmas Eve (January 6-got to celebrate Christmas twice this year!), in Nazareth with dear friends; sharing the dream of the Global Training Institute for Women with influential women in Jerusalem, and Amman, Jordan. Add to that a bout of food poisoning (which happened in London), and (always) flight delays, and you have a snapshot of the last two weeks of my life.
As I have said before, "everywhere I go I see Him". And see Him I do in the lives of those who represent Him in the Middle East! It is a privilege to serve God and it is also amazing to think we at Greater Reach can partner with our brothers and sisters in that part of the world. We can and will be a resource....thanks for praying!

Happy Thanksgiving from Greater Reach Ministries!

2010-11-23T18:55:00.002-07:00

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms." Psalm 95:2

The Greater Reach Ministries Staff would like to wish everyone a happy, blessed and safe Thanksgiving.

May God bless you as you joyfully remember the many ways He has blessed you this year.

The office will be closed on Thanksgiving day and the day after so that we can be home with our families. We are always available by email!

With Great Joy!

Kristin, Alyssa and Tracey

Book Accolades

2010-10-21T16:14:00.005-07:00

Who Do You Think You Are? has traveled the globe and the country since February. It's landed in the hands of ministry leaders in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Norway, Africa, and several states in the U.S.
It's also making a debut in the Baker & Taylor Fall Catalog, Amazon, and is soon to hit the Barnes & Noble online store!
Small group leaders around the U.S. are also using the book as a women's small group study.

Now that several people have had a chance to read this life changing book, here are a few accolades (names in the testimonials are protected):

"Larry used part of Kristin’s book today dealing with our topic, Spiritual Gifts in our class. Kristin’s experience with someone telling her they saw her as having the gift of teaching when she couldn’t believe it, was helpful to one of the women (S) in our group who has been struggling with not wanting to do any more teaching, even though she is a blessing when she does it. Another woman (L) who also does some teaching in the women’s ministry shared that she is always so nervous to do it and that maybe her false belief that she must please others to feel secure, was actually a barrier to her using her spiritual gift. That made (S) decide to rethink the conclusion she had come to about not teaching anymore. So Kristin’s book is helping our Hispanic sisters in (Texas). Tell her thanks! I had thought we had lost (S) as a teacher for sure. Now maybe there is hope." From Marcy in TX

"Oh my goodness, God is good. I have to tell you this story. Long ago when I was in the original class the book came out and I bought one for my friend in NM and mailed it to her. (Actually, it was so long ago I don’t even remember doing this!) She was going through a separation after 20 years of marriage (real traditional - straight from parents house to her husbands’), had just finished an MBA, wasn’t enjoying her job, was really at a loss for her passion in life. I guess I thought she’d love the book as much as I did! So like most busy working women, she has a large stack of books on her night side table that she means to get to one day, and just picked your book up this week. She called me THIS MORNING to tell me how much your book has meant to her. Apparently she ran to your website and learned about your class, starting in Nov. She said, “Can you ask her if she would let me know if she ever decided to do a retreat-style weekend workshop for this class instead of an 8-week program?” She said she would fly into town for that in a heartbeat." Karen from Phoenix, AZ

In addition to these, I'm sure you've seen the passionate Liberian
woman speak about the book in a previous blog post by now. We'll be sure to
keep you updated on the latest voyages of Who Do You Think You Are? AND
Please let us know what you hear too!

Romania Recap

2010-10-07T13:22:00.007-07:00

(video: Dr. Beasley teaching in Romania with translator)

Our Romania team returned on Tuesday evening from their week long trip to Arad, Romania where they taught women at a conference. The conference attendees included church planter's wives, ministry leaders and those who want to begin women's ministry in their churches. Workshops ranged in topic from 'Conflict Resolution' to 'How To Take Care of Yourself', a greatly needed topic for women in Romania.

As many of you know, this was a Pilot Program to pave the way for our Global Training Institute for Women that we plan to launch in Eastern Europe during Fall 2011. The team received positive feedback about their teaching and time in Romania. Here are some comments from our Romanian ministry partner, Daniela Pribac:

"All the responses to this Pilot Program are extremely positive, all the women felt enriched, encouraged and equipped on a personal level and also for the ministry they are involved in. We were all blessed and glad by your presence, the way you interacted with the women and by your teaching which helped women realize how important it is to be equipped to be able to equip others. And thus Acts 1:8 be realized also through the ministry we do together multiplying what God invested in us."

Thanks to those of you who came alongside to pray and financially support this particular trip! God provided further confirmation for us on this trip as we develop our GTI plans. We continue to prayerfully plan and dream to accomplish a big vision for God's Kingdom. Please pray along with us for God to provide our needs for this project.

U.S. Team Members: Kristin Beasley, Rosanne Burck, Simone Lake and Caye Siller

Romania Here We Come!

2010-09-23T15:17:00.003-07:00

Kristin, Fred, Caye, Simone and Rosanne are all preparing to leave the country for a women's training weekend they are leading in Romania. The trip is from September 27-October 6th. We would covet your prayers for health, travel mercy and effective ministry to Romanian women.

The Master's Jewels GRM Awareness Dinner Video

2010-09-21T14:22:00.007-07:00

Here is a short video that captures the essence of our annual Awareness Dinner that was held this past Saturday night. Dr. Barry Asmus was the guest speaker and delivered a timely message about how the distressed state of women around the world deeply impacts us all. David Hone, Ian Thomson and Christina Thomson lead us in worship and Shannon Cox was the charming emcee for the evening. We are so grateful to Cheryl Savoie for her decorations and to Alyssa Spitale, Mary Hone and Caye Siller for helping to bring the evening together. God was honored as the new vision for GRM was revealed. What an exciting night!

Who Do You Think You Are? in Liberia!

2010-09-07T09:52:00.002-07:00

Recently, one of our former class members, Cathy, brought several copies of Who Do You Think You Are? along with her on her mission trip to Liberia. View this video for what Yvon had to say about it.

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Fall Romania Mission

2010-08-31T09:45:00.007-07:00

God has called GRM to again serve the women in Romania.

As you recall, last year we hosted approximately 57 women at their first ever retreat.

This year, our team of 4 will be introducing the women to the

Global Training Institute for Women.

Kristin, Simone, Rosanne and Caye will be presenting a condensed version of the 3 year curriculum that is under development.

Kristin and Caye are very comfortable with the Romanian culture, but this will be a new and exciting experience for Simone and Rosanne. Please keep the entire team in your prayers for safe travels, protected health and adequate financial support as they follow God’s calling across the world.

Kristin RosanneSimoneCaye

The Master's Jewels

2010-08-31T09:30:00.008-07:00

The annual GRM Awareness Dinner has been scheduled for Saturday, September 18th on the campus of Scottsdale Bible Church. The invitations have been mailed (many sincere thanks to Hannah for a wonderful job of designing them!) and have you received yours? If not, call the office and we’ll get one out to you right away!

Cheryl Savoie, GRM Board Member, is heading up a team of dedicated and talented volunteers who are preparing decorations, programs and an all-around exciting evening geared at glorifying God through the work at GRM.

If a good dinner and great fellowship is not enough to entice you to join us, remember that Dr. Barry Asmus is our keynote speaker. Dr. Asmus is a Senior Economist with the National Center for Policy Analysis. The NCPA promotes private sector, market-based solutions. Dr. Asmus has been speaking to audiences in the U.S. and the world for over twenty-five years.

See you there!

What Can We Do?

2010-06-14T16:16:00.002-07:00

She smiled at me with a deep penetrating smile, her eyes communicating resolve, peace and conviction. She said, “Jesus is worth it all.” This woman knew what she was talking about. Having been raised in Nazareth in a Muslim family, she was discontent with what she was told about God and who she was and she was searching for spiritual truth. She was empty. So as a young woman she read the Koran and then read the Bible and decided that she could no longer follow the tenets of Islam. When her father discovered she had become a Christian, he had a heart attack. Then her family disowned her, threw her out of the house and she had to flee to another city. So alone, single, she forged a new life in Christ, a life that to this day experiences death threats because of her faith. Yet, she is at peace with her decision, counting “all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus…” as her Lord (Phil. 3:8).
In the context of my teaching and training ministry I have the high privilege of serving women like this one in many different cultures. (In just the last two months I have been in 6 different countries.) However, it is often true that I find myself being equally motivated by the very women I am helping. This woman, unnamed for her protection, inspired me with her sacrificial, no holds barred, radical faith, a faith I aspire to. There we were, sitting in a hotel in Jerusalem, while busloads of tourists filed by. It all seemed so unreal. But while other memories of that trip will fade, what I know I will never forget is the fire in her eyes and the intensity of her voice when she talked about reaching her world for Christ, a world filled with miserable veiled women, many of whom have the same spiritual hunger this young woman had. And she needs help. She is only one of two Christian women ministering to other women in Jerusalem. “I need help training and mentoring the many women coming to Christ,” She said. I think to myself, “What can I do?”
I met this Muslim convert in April. Fast forward one month. Now I am sitting in Romania with a group of women who want me to come and help them to grow in their faith. One woman says she wants to understand what God has left her on earth for. She tearfully said in front of the group, “I have a job, I have enough money, but I am empty inside. I want to understand how you have found what you have.” Here were two different women, from very different worlds, both with needs. This woman touched me with her vulnerability and deep desire for answers. I thought to myself again, “what can I do?”
What are you to do? How do you respond to and help the women next door to you, or in your church? Some of them are keenly aware of their spiritual needs. Many of them are from other cultures. And many of them feel empty, lonely, undervalued, less than. As our world becomes increasingly diverse and complex, where cultures and individuals from different cultures interact with each other more and more often, what are we to do? We can’t become experts in so many different cultures. We can’t learn all the languages. But we can understand what the Bible says about the Christ who came to redeem and the universality of the longings of our hearts. We can learn to know the real God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Esther, Deborah and Sarah. And we can learn what He says to us as women, about our value and identity. God’s Word transcends culture. But we must know what it says.
We not only need to understand what the Bible says, we also must live it out in our own lives. Women everywhere long to see God’s truth fleshed out in other women. You don’t have to travel far to discover this truth. Women want hope! They want to be inspired to be all that God designed them to be. And that happens through the context of relationship. We must be willing to let others, Christian and non-Christian, know us and humbly allow ourselves to be role models. Let me tell you: women are watching you and they will not be willing to hear what you say until you demonstrate the truth of what you are saying through your life.
Finally, I think we need to be willing to go wherever God calls us to go (and do whatever God calls us to do). I honestly don’t get up in the morning thinking about the next place I can go. I am a homebody. But I can’t sit home while women around the world are crying for help to understand the truth that will set them free. God has given us “pearls of great price”. How can we not want to share our wealth with others? May we learn the Truth, live the Truth and be willing to go to share the truth wherever He leads. A love as amazing as God’s love, demands our soul, our lives, our all.

News from the Middle East

2010-04-23T11:26:00.004-07:00

Hello everyone! Where do I begin? In the last 10 days I have been to Cairo, Egypt, and seen the pyramids and met with believers from the largest church in the Middle East, been to Petra, Jordan, met with believers in Zarqa and Amman, been to Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Everywhere you go in this part of the world, you see the footprints of our Lord. He is everywhere, His People are everywhere. Forget what you read in the paper: God is at work here and many are coming to know Him.
I met with one Egyptian woman who felt the leading of God to start a ministry to women in Cairo in her home ... because so many women there have been abused. She and her husband now minister to 50 + families ... and their ministry is growing.
What I will not forget is the fire in the eyes and intensity of the speech of the Arab Christians when they talk about reaching their world for Christ. They risk everything for Christ and they count it a privilege. They are an inspriation to me!

Spring Travels

2010-04-02T11:14:00.003-07:00

Spring is upon us and with it comes two very exciting trips. I am going with a small team of people to the Middle East next week - we will be exploring new ministry opportunities in several countries, building new friendships and nurturing friendships we already have. I plan to take my book with me and know it will be an encouragement to the women there who so desperately need encouraging.

Then in May I will be going to Budapest, Hungary for the European Leadership Conference, with a weekend stop in Romania to plan our fall trip there. I am also looking forward to the one day Women's Leadership Summit that is part of the conference. Plan to do lots of networking, book in hand. It is a thrill to hear the positive comments from women who are reading "Who Do You Think You Are?"

One woman writes: "I have already read 7 chapters and can't wait to read the rest of the book-thank you does not seem adequate!"

It is a privilege to serve the Lord through Greater Reach Ministries. To God be the glory! Happy Easter! Kristin

Book Review

2010-03-30T16:00:00.002-07:00

Book review by Rosanne Burck

Book: Who Do You Think You Are?
Author: Dr. Kristin Beasley with Jodi Carlson

Just be yourself! Be true to who you are! Be the real you!

Voices come at us from every angle with this message. But, as a female and a Christian, who am I, really? And who has had input into my definition of who I am? Women of all ages around the world are confused about this. We know this as we see young women in the U.S. attempting to emulate the sex-drenched images of our culture while attempting to “act like men” in the workplace. Women in the Middle East and other parts of the world are silenced and shrouded in attempts to deny their very existence as females. Women everywhere are in desperate need of God’s truth.

Dr. Kristin Beasley, in her newly released book, “Who Do You Think You Are?”, presents liberating answers about who God created each woman to be. As Dr. Norman Wakefield, Professor Emeritus of Phoenix Seminary states on the book’s back cover, “This book is grounded in biblical truth and wisdom that touches the heart.”

I found this book of 10 chapters to be very enjoyable, but thought-provoking, reading. In Part One, Dr. Beasley begins with an assessment of the many distorted views of womanhood in society, culture and religions to show us how many women are living with a wrong or incomplete view of their value. Part Two presents truth about women’s significance in a way I have never seen presented before – how each Person of the Triune God “answers one of your three core needs as a woman.” Part Three is application – what to do with the truth discovered in Part Two so women can take hold of their God-given uniqueness and serve Him.

The back of the book contains reflection questions that can be used for personal study or with small groups. Pick up this book today for yourself, your ministry team, your daughters and the other women in your life. You will not be disappointed!
You can buy it directly from Greater Reach Ministries to support their vision to reach out across the world to lift up women and touch them with a message of hope that inspires and equips them to be all that God made them to be.

Book Signing Brunch: You're Invited

2010-03-30T15:59:00.001-07:00

Books Now On Sale

2010-03-15T16:49:00.002-07:00

Everyone has an opinion about who you are. You do, too. But what if all are mistaken?

The time is now to hear the truth—God’s truth. He proves your priceless value and defines your unique identity in three distinct ways. Each wields the power to change you forever, from the inside out. With your consent, of course.

Are you ready to become the true you—the real you? With biblical wisdom, current research, and firsthand stories, Dr. Kristin Beasley helps you answer that one nagging question with resounding clarity.

Who Do You Think You Are?
Good News about Your Identity

Order your copy online today on our website.

(Prices listed include shipping)

COMING SOON

2010-02-03T21:18:00.004-07:00

We're pleased to announce the release of our first ministry resource. Look for purchase options and book signing events from us in March 2010.

Multiplying Our Message

2010-01-14T12:38:00.004-07:00

Class is back in session today as Dr. Kristin Beasley and Caye Siller co-teach the class, Who Do You Think You Are? for 18 more women over the next 8 weeks. Not only does this equate to Greater Reach communicating the truth of a woman's identity to more people, but GRM hopes to multiply through these women.

As a result of the last two classes taught, God has begun to open doors into other churches to teach women and has allowed us to teach the material to a small group. Other women who have taken the class feel more empowered to serve in their area of gifting, and others are thinking up ways to reach more women with the message of their truest identity.

We look forward with great anticipation that which the Lord will choose to do with this group of women as they discover the truth about who they really are. Not to mention, we at Greater Reach enjoy the opportunity to build more relationships with women of all ages and stages of life through the class.
Please pray for Kristin and Caye as they teach and for this new group of women as they learn and grow in the Truth.

Christmas Bell

2009-12-17T14:30:00.004-07:00

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17 )

I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth ( Matt.5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant ( Phil.3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God( Rom.8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16 ). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worke (1 Cor.. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship(Eph. 2:10 )

I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected(Phil 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven(Col.1:14).I have been adopted as God's child(Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know

who you are!?

2009-11-18T16:16:00.003-07:00

Written by: Caye Siller

As I pulled up my chair next to the Gypsy lady I saw that she wasn't reading her notes. I wondered if they were the English ones so I offered her a Romanian version. She said no thank you and that's when I thought about the possibility that she couldn't read. I later found out that the lady they called "The Gypsy" was named Maria. She couldn't speak English but I was amazed by her desperate need for God. She had traveled many hours to our retreat. We came to learn that most of the south side of Romania is very poor and filled with many Gypsy's. (Did you know they are descended from India?) Most of them have very large families and children and struggle to put food on the table. However, Maria was not just living among them as a poor mother and wife she was also the wife of a church planter. She had a desire to minister to the women of her village and surrounding ones with the limited means she had.

She was one of the recipients of the free massages one of our team members was offering. She had won this prize by randomly being given a blue ball point pen. As she came to her massage she revealed wounds on her stomach from an intensive surgery she was recovering from. You would have never known she was carrying around such physical wounds. However, it was clear she had deep wounds from the life she lives out there in her own barren land. After her massage she clutched her blue pen and asked if there was another one she could have for her daughter. This pen seemed like the biggest and best prize she had ever had. Cheryl asked her how many daughters she had and she said "5". Cheryl reached in her bag and found exactly 4 more blue pins and as she handed them to Maria you could tell she was so touched and excited to bring gifts home to her children. Maybe she was holding onto the hope that her children would rise above her to learn to read and write. As the retreat ended I packed up and went to the lobby to meet our team. I was so proud of how I had packed for a 3 day trip and fit it all in my back pack with my sneakers clipped to the front. As we left I saw Maria get up from a couch with all her possessions wrapped in a hankerchief. She had a couple of containers with liquid in it (probably for their journey) but as I said good bye to her tears began to fill my eyes. She had so little in her hands to offer the Lord and yet she was going back to impact her community with the "fish and bread" in her hands. I was challenged to think of what was in my hands...what resources has God given to me to offer him? If she had so little and she could still offer it to him....I surely had more. The words of a song came to my mind: "Maybe the last ones are the lucky ones, the ones who've got this whole thing figured out. For when they go looking for something beautiful they go looking from the inside out"....

New Teaching Opportunity!

2009-11-12T16:47:00.008-07:00

We enjoyed a refreshing time with many of our family in the faith at Scottsdale Bible Church's Harvest Festival this past week and weekend. It's always enjoyable to reconnect with those from the field we haven't seen in many months.

As a result of talking with a dear friend at the festival, we learned of an opportunity to partner with her to reach out to the Arab community in Phoenix. On December 12th, Dr. Kristin Beasley will teach a conglomerate of Arab women about "Embracing Your True Identity" at a women's Arab conference in the Valley. She will teach a series of 3 segments to this audience in early December.

We would appreciate your prayers for Kristin's teaching, for hearts and minds to be uplifted, encouraged and enlightened by this material, and for our fellowship and relationship building with these women.

We anticipate the many ways in which God will work during this time to advance His plan!

Romania Video

2009-11-02T16:49:00.002-07:00

Thank you all for sending us with your prayers and contributions. God worked through our team of ten and in us during our journey to Romania. We invite you to hear more about our trip on November 14th from 6:00-7:30pm at Scottsdale Bible Church, Room E-105. Dessert will be served.

In the meantime, please enjoy this video of our trip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmtbA2YRfSU

Begin With The End In Mind

2009-09-30T16:49:00.002-07:00

I’ve been thinking about leadership and vision lately. As the leader of a new ministry I am constantly thinking and dreaming: Where are we going? Who do we want to be? What should this ministry look like? What does it look like if we “win”? In other words, what is the goal? And what do I do first? Second? Third? These thoughts can be exciting but also a little daunting. They are exciting because of all the opportunities out there to impact lives, daunting because of the constant need to prioritize, keep the main thing the main thing and lead others toward the goal. Yet I find encouragement by regularly looking at the life of Christ
What is a leader? A leader is someone who has followers, and who influences others. Jesus is our prime example of a sacrificial servant leader who had vision. He guided and directed–but He also provided vision for a positive future. He was a visionary leader. It has been said that vision is the “act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be”. Doesn’t that sound like our Lord? He knew why He was here (His mission statement is in Luke 19:10). He knew where He was going. He knew where He wanted His followers to go (to reach the ends of the earth with a message of hope and then join Him in heaven). He kept the main thing the main thing and He began with the end in mind.
Do you as a leader know where you are going? Do you know where you want to take those who are following you? Do you know who you want to be? What would you do in your ministry if you knew you couldn’t fail? What would “win” look like for your ministry? Don’t be afraid to think and dream about “the end”: where you would like your ministry team (including yourself) to end up.
It is fun but also a challenge to dream in the future. But we must dream…and dream big! Henrietta Mears, a tremendous woman of God who, a couple generations ago, was used mightily in kingdom work said, “Dream Big Dreams: There is no magic in small plans.” Don’t worry about the money, or what you need to get there. When you dream there are only opportunities, not obstacles. Be willing to be stretched into the vision God has for you. Prayerfully listen, and begin building the ideas. Write them down. And then tell people. And you will have followers who come alongside because they believe in the vision. Jesus received His vision from the Father and then He told people about it. He never wavered from staying the course, He set goals to get there, and He began with the end in mind! Follow His lead…and become a visionary leader.

A day in the life of Caye Siller

2009-09-08T16:07:00.002-07:00

A Trip to Daphne's

If there has ever been a day where I knew I was in ministry to the King it was yesterday. I came into the office to a difficult e.mail. It was one of those e.mails that where I knew I was going to need to "fix things". I had an appointment to get to across town where I was going to lead a young girl through her first Bible Study. As I was gathering things for the meeting my cell phone rang and the minute I answered the phone I knew it would change my day. It was a dear friend very upset about a crisis in her family. I was so overcome with her pain that it comsumed me but I also knew I had to make it across town. As I drove down Scottsdale Road I couldn't believe the news and hearthache I was hearing from my friend. It was one of those moments where you had no words to console just a shoulder to offer to lean on. I pulled into Daphne's restaurant and finished the call. Just then I realized I had forgotten the Bible Study for this meeting...I took a deep breath and felt so drained by the morning. I prayed out loud, "God, I have nothing left for this meeting but I know you want to minister to this girl today. Would you just do your thing?" I searched the car and found a track of the 4 Spiritual laws. During our meal I walked this girl through the gospel and when I got to the part about Christ covering our sin she literally said, "that's beautiful". As her eyes teared up I knew God was speaking to her and I asked her if she would like to accept the Lord into her heart. After asking a couple of questions she was ready and we held hands and said a not-so-magical prayer as God did the supernatural in her heart. I opened my eyes and said, "Happy Birthday" to her......I can't wait to meet with her next week.
When I jumped back in the car and left Daphne's Restaurant, this verse came to mind.

2Cor 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness ." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

A Successful Summer BBQ!

2009-09-01T12:27:00.009-07:00

At the beginning of August our short term Romania team hosted a Honey Bears BBQ to share more about the challenges with women in Romania and how our team plans to minister while there in October. Included in our program that evening, a Romanian man, Ioan Tina (above), who now lives in Arizona, blessed us by singing "It Is Well With My Soul" in Romanian. It's always such a blessing to hear God praised in another language.

During the BBQ, a very generous donor offered to match all donations for sponsoring Romanian women to attend our upcoming retreat. Of our $13,500 goal, we've raised nearly $8,000, which includes the matching gifts! Due to the poor economic conditions in Romania, these women wouldn't otherwise be able to attend. God provides!

Now our team is gearing up for our September 19th Ministry Awareness Event: "Unwrapping the Gift". We'll provide dinner during this exciting evening program, and Naomi Rhode is our featured speaker. If you haven't received an invitation and would like to attend, please contact Alyssa at alyssa@greaterreach.com.

It has been a while

2009-08-18T12:55:00.007-07:00

My husband Fred and I have been having a great summer of rest, relfection and rejuvenation.

I am working on my book for Greater Reach and preparing for our trip to Romania in the fall. (Part of our team is shown above) But the distractions are far fewer, and for that I am grateful!

As a matter of fact, as I think, rest, reflect and study, I am reminded again and again of how much I have to be thankful for. God has blessed us (me) with every spiritual blessing. Oh, that more women would understand and embrace their true identity in Christ!! We have lives that can count for eternity, and we have the promise of a significant spiritual impact!

I just can't express what a joy it is to work with women around the world and know that God will use our efforts for His glory. Please keep us at GRM in your prayers and help us reach women for Christ! Blessings, Kristin

Romania Team Summer BBQ-You're Invited!

2009-07-02T15:33:00.004-07:00

Greater Reach Ministries and Scottsdale Bible Church are partnering on a short term trip to Romania in October. A team of 7 women will minister to Romanian women by providing their first ever Women's Retreat in Arad, Romania! Also on the agenda is an orphanage visit and children's ministry. Our goal is to serve, assist and encourage the women and children in Romania during our visit. Pastor Fred will be joining us to serve, teach and equip Romanian pastors, and leaders.

You are invited to learn more about this trip by joining us for Honey Bears BBQ on August 1st at Scottsdale Bible Church from 6:30-8:30pm. Please RSVP by July 23rd to alyssa@greaterreach.com!

See you there!

Class Is In Session

2009-05-29T13:02:00.006-07:00

Our Spring Class, "Who Do You Think You Are?" is in session. Since the beginning of May, 23 class members have been learning how to combat the false assumptions and half-truths, that many of us have held since our youth, with God's unwavering truth. As God progressively enlightens them about their identity through His Word, they are also learning more about their unique design to fulfill His Kingdom purposes.
The women in this class are not only learning from biblical stories of women and of their identity in the Trinity, but they are also taking a thorough spiritual gifts inventory and working through areas of spiritual growth.

After a recent study and lecture on the Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42), one class member commented, "I want to share how powerful your lesson on Thursday was. As often as I have read that story, I never saw it quite that way!! It truly was eye opening!!”

It's a joy to see God working in the hearts and minds of the women through this class.

We're already making plans to teach this class again in future months. If you are interested in holding a class at your church or for one of your women's groups, please Email us.

2009-04-08T10:24:00.002-07:00

I have recently returned from half way around the world after teaching a women’s conference at the only evangelical church in Aqaba, Jordan. This conference was in partnership with Arab Woman Today. The women who make up the AWT team are all wonderful Christian women and good friends. It is a always a special joy and privilege to serve alongside these warriors for Christ! This region of Jordan has few Christians and there is a real need for encouragement for the women who live there. My heart went out to these women who struggle, living in a Muslim world. A few comments from the twenty-five+ who attended:

“This is the first time I understand how God relates to me”
“I never have known before how the Trinity relates to me”
“There is no good teaching here for women”
“This teaching was very rich, very deep. It touched my heart”.

Dedication of the Baptism Center

2009-04-02T15:32:00.007-07:00

On our recent voyage to Jordan, Fred and I had the opportunity to attend the Jordan Baptism Center Dedication. For a report of the event and pictures, see below.

"Christian Telegraph reports, "An estimated 1,700 persons attended the dedication and opening ceremony and more than 120 people were baptized in the Jordan River at a new Baptism Center on Friday, March 20, by pastors from the Jordan Baptist Convention, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.
The baptism was the culmination of an afternoon of celebration in which the Baptism Center at Bethany beyond Jordan was dedicated for use by Baptists and other evangelical Christians.
Baptist World Alliance (BWA) General Secretary Neville Callam, who gave the main address, said, "Today, as we assemble by the Jordan… we unite to mark the opening and dedication of this Baptism Center – a place where people from all parts of the world may assemble for a journey and an experience."

Associated Press, "One of several new churches being built along the Jordan River where Christian pilgrims have long believed Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, the centre is intended to cater to Christian traditions that practice believers' baptism by immersion.
BWA General Secretary Neville Callam, in the day's major address, called the centre "a place where people from all parts of the world may assemble for a journey and an experience." He expressed the hope that "the waters of the Jordan extinguish the crippling fires of hopelessness that burn in the hearts of those who have no knowledge of God."
Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life and pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, sent a congratulatory letter saying he could not attend the dedication ceremony but plans to make a pilgrimage there when he next visits the Middle East in 2010.
Also participating in the event were Imad Maayah, a Baptist and former member of the Jordanian Parliament; Toma Magda and Tony Peck, President and General Secretary of the European Baptist Federation and Nabeeh Abbassi, former president of the Jordan Baptist Convention and chief organizer of the dedication and opening.
Jordan is about 92 percent Muslim, but relations between Muslims and a Christian minority, estimated at 6 percent, are generally good. While Islam is the state religion and proselytization of Muslims and conversions from Islam are prohibited, the Jordanian Constitution promises religious freedom as long as rites do not violate public order or morality and recognize several Christian denominations."

Prince Ghazi

Tony Blair

The Orchestra

Before the Ceremony

Ruba, one of our ministry partners with AWT

Greater Reach: Inspiring Women In Jordan

2009-03-23T11:52:00.007-07:00

Kristin is finishing up her Jordan trip along with her husband, Fred this week. Here's an update I received from Fred on Saturday...

"Yesterday we went to the baptism site and were surprised to see a crowd of 1000 + in attendance. It was very cool to be right on the Jordan in the site many say is where John baptised Jesus. It was obviously more of a significant event than Kristin or I realized as both Tony Blair of England and the Royal Prince of Jordan werre in attendance and spoke at the dedication. Thanks to Nabeeh, we were given VIP seats in the second row. Very good day, but it was a 7 hour event and we were very tired by the end.

Today Kristin headed off for Aqaba with AWT to do her two days of teaching. She called tonight and said the first two sessions went very well. A woman came up to her after she spoke and said: "This is a very important message and we need to hear it. Even though we are from the Christian church we live in a Muslim culture and community. Our town and our country are Muslim and our husbands are more Muslim than Christian."
The message of the incredible value these women have, created in the image of God and loved by Him is life giving and so needed for their soul care."

Praise God for His work in Jordan!
(Posted by Alyssa)

"Insights for Strengthening the Blessed Alliance": Conference Recap

2009-03-13T09:10:00.001-07:00

I just returned from Florida where I taught a workshop titled, “Insights for Strengthening the Blessed Alliance” (the “blessed alliance” refers to Adam and Eve in Eden when God blessed them and commissioned them to form an alliance to rule and subdue the earth) at the recent Synergy Conference in Orlando. Synergy is a networking conference for women in vocational ministry, and has been in existence for about 5 years now. I have taught there for most of those years and they always want me to teach the same thing: how men and women can work together in ways that are biblical and that strengthen their ability to work effectively together in ministry. The need for believers to learn how to affirm one another and develop healthy, godly relationships never goes away! So it is my privilege to join these fine women each year with a practical message on developing healthy interpersonal relationships.
Though I love to teach women, I also love the opportunity to develop ministry relationships and deepen budding friendships. Most of these women I only see once a year, so I look forward to times to visit and share highlights of our lives and ministries. The photos here just capture a glimmer of the fun that was had connecting with like-minded women. Maybe I will see you there next year! Mark your calendar: March 5-7, 2010. It should prove to be stimulating as next year’s theme will be: “The Shaping of a Leader’s Soul”.

Photos from Synergy 2009 Conference

2009-03-13T09:06:00.004-07:00

Caye's Lesson Learned

2009-03-11T09:49:00.007-07:00

I spent 2 weeks last month helping a friend's dad roof their house on Manasota Key. It was hard work but I was grateful for it. It was probably the hardest money I have earned since college, and I was excited to deposit it in the bank. While I’ve been support raising, I’ve felt like I’m often living out of my car going from place to place. I made the mistake of putting my roofing cash in my glove box one night, so, I’d remember to deposit it. I arrived home from a long trip around 10 pm and forgot to take out the cash. Sometime that night my car was broken into and a few things stolen….one of them being most of my roofing money.

At first I was beating myself up, as most anyone would do. How could I make such a stupid mistake, especially at such a crucial time? I felt like a bad steward of an opportunity God had given me. Well, after the Officer finished fingerprinting my car I came back to the Lord to get my heart right. “Father, what would you have me learn from this? I feel like the cash represented very hard efforts on my part. It normally wouldn’t hurt so badly except it was back breaking work.” In that moment, I felt God saying….”That’s it. I wanted you to see how hard people work for the gifts they are giving you. I wanted to remind you never to take it for granted and to feel the sweat from their sacrifice.”

Somehow knowing that God was using it to teach me something very profound made the loss so much more endurable. It also helped me forgive myself and move on, knowing that He will continue to provide for all my needs.

I think I will always look back on this experience and remember how much people are giving to me. It’s so humbling. May God continue to remind you that He ultimately is the Biggest Giver of all. He has always given us more than we could ever offer Him. And He has always sacrificed more than us as well.

John 15:13,
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend" NIV

Written by Caye Siller

(visit her blog: CayeSiller.blogspot.com)

Praying For Those You Mentor

2009-02-25T09:14:00.003-07:00

Prayer: [prer] a spoken or unspoken address to God, a deity, or a saint. It may express praise, thanksgiving, confession, or a request for something such as help for somebody's well-being.

Prayer is encouraging, affirming, engages our hearts, and is “helpful training” when communicated. Prayer is the underpinning. It’s the crucial element in all we do. Pray for those you mentor for their:

1. Spiritual lives
2. Ministry
3. Relationships within the Body of Christ
It enables them to do what they do. It’s an infusion of spiritual help that they need.

Paul prays in Col 1:9-12, "For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light."

This is a fool proof way for God to answer prayers of those we mentor. If Paul prayed this way for the saints in Colossae, and it is in the Bible, we pray with confidence that we are praying as God would have us pray.

Mentoring is a Matter of the Heart

2009-02-23T10:03:00.003-07:00

Heart: [haart], affection, love, or warm admiration

Another key quality of a good mentor is when she mentors wholeheartedly, when she is engaged on every level. Have you ever heard the saying, “people won’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care”? With your whole heart mentor your protégé. Care for her. Passionately engage in the kind of ministry that Christ engaged in. Do you love those you are mentoring (discipling)? Do you believe that mentoring is ministering as Jesus ministered? The truth is, He spent most of His time with a small group of men (his 12 disciples), both one on one and in a small group. And He didn’t meet with them to just give them information, He engaged with them on a heart level. “There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.”(John 13:23). “Love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another.” (John 13:34)
He knew that you impress people from a distance, but you impact them when you engage heart to heart and life to life.

Discipleship, mentoring, is not just an intellectual activity, but a process of life change. We do our best coaching when we are engaged not just intellectually, but on a heart level with those we mentor.

And display a heart for the mentoring process. We may have a heart for mentoring, but do our protégés? The truth is many of them have to learn the value. I meet women all the time who have never been mentored or personally discipled in their life with the Lord. They think at times this is just another hoop they have to jump through.

I want to encourage you to believe enough in mentoring that you would be direct in saying to those you’re mentoring, how vital it is to their growth process. It’s important to speak frankly about the value of the mentoring experience. You will communicate wholeheartedness for mentoring and for your protégé by the way you approach your time together and by how much concern and love you show.

Read what Paul said to the Thessalonikan Christians, “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.” I Thess. 2:7-8

Helpful Training: Discipleship

2009-02-20T09:45:00.002-07:00

Those you are mentoring will need to know the basics in becoming a disciple of Christ. They should also be able to guide others through the process of knowing Christ and becoming like Him.
Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Some items you can train your protégé on would be:
1. How to have a quiet time with the Lord
2. Growing in understanding of the Word through various Bible Study Methods
3. Scripture Memorization
4. Character Development
5. Setting personal/ministry goals
6. Participating in ministry projects or how to lead a ministry project
7. Developing a personal mission statement
8. Preparing a personal testimony
9. Sharing the gospel with others

This isn’t a comprehensive list, but is a starting point for you as a mentor. You will play a critical role in guiding your protégé in spiritual growth and in ministry skills.

Affirmation

2009-02-18T13:39:00.003-07:00

Affirmation: (af·fir·ma·tion) an assertion of support or agreement; a positive statement or declaration of the truth or existence of something.

Yesterday, we discussed the importance of encouraging each other. One important aspect of encouragement is expressing words of affirmation, or speaking a positive word to someone. Appreciation for your protégé always has to be expressed. We dare never take for granted the vital link all play in the body of Christ.

How to say it “out loud” to your protégé:
1. Share a Scripture that God has recently used in your life as “refreshment” to her spirit. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”. “Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore, my soul keeps them.” Psalm 119:105 and 129.
2. Express gratitude for their service to the body, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” (Phil. 1:3) Affirm their significance in body of Christ. Your protégé has an important role to play in God’s kingdom program. Let her know that you know and are grateful for her heart for God.
3. Build her up! Ephesians 4:29 say to share words that build others up according to their needs: Speak words that edify. We have great power to build up with the tongue. “Life and death are in the power of the tongue”. “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Prov.12:25). Your protégé could periodically feel discouraged and want to quit. Consider how to encourage with words of affirmation! You could be the difference in her life.

Mentoring Tip #1: Encouragement

2009-02-17T09:09:00.004-07:00

Encouragement is a significant part of any mentoring relationship. We will always need encouragement when mentoring others. And those we mentor need encouragement.

The book of Hebrews exhorts us to stimulate others to good deeds as the day approaches. Hebrews 10:24-25, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” “Let us consider”…in other words, think about how to support those you mentor.

Here are a couple of reminders as we mentor:
1. It is a privilege to enter another’s world as closely as you do with a protégé. It is a worthwhile use of their time. We can lose sight of this.
2. Press on with your protégé even when they are not responding as you like. Don’t give up! Persistence usually pays off!

Encourage, encourage, encourage! Encouraging those you mentor will warm your heart as well!

New Series: Mentoring

2009-02-13T14:18:00.006-07:00

Over the next week, we will look at some things I’ve learned over the years while training women to mentor others. My five topics are: Encouragement, Affirmation, Heart, Helpful Training, and Prayer. These are aspects of mentoring that we will want to remember as we relate to women.

As we discuss relating with women in our lives, our passion can be expressed either ineffectively or effectively. We can learn from Paul as he spoke to the Christians in Thessalonika, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." I Thess. 2:8. God had given Paul a heart for those he was discipling just like He gives to us for those we reach out to.

Stay tuned as we cover 5 topics over 5 days!

A New Year

2009-01-15T14:06:00.001-07:00

How quickly our Christmas holiday passes. Are you like me? I can’t believe how fast the Christmas season melts into January busyness. I love Christmas for a lot of reasons: we get to celebrate our Savior’s birth into this world, we get to spend a little extra time with family and friends, we get to show and tell them how we love them in special ways, we get to indulge in lots of Christmas music and holiday activities. All good stuff as far as I’m concerned. So I am always a little sad when I have to take down the decorations and put them away. I drag my feet a little and delay putting things away as long as I can. And ever so gradually, I adjust into the New Year, telling myself, “It’s ok to put Christmas away. Christmas will come again next year. A new year is a good thing…with God we always have a lot to look forward to.” Yet I don’t always welcome picking up the increased work schedule, a schedule I gladly set down the end of December. I forget that God is in my schedule, He is in my life, He has ordained this time for me. And so I need to make an attitude adjustment, and welcome the switch back to my busy ministry life.
It is God’s New Year for us: A year that will be filled with challenges and opportunities. Perhaps your challenge will be economic. Perhaps it will be health, or family issues. Perhaps it is work, like it is for me. Whatever it is, God has ordained the challenge and this year for you. And therefore, He is in it! God has blessed us all with His presence and many rich opportunities to be His ambassador in the New Year. And each new day He gives us new opportunities to be His ambassador no matter where we are and no matter what we are doing. “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Ps. 118:24) Make a decision to embrace this New Year, enjoy it and the many challenges and opportunities it brings us. Happy New Year!

'Tis The Season!

2008-12-11T13:11:00.005-07:00

With the Christmas season upon us, GRM is up to a few good things!

Prayer Partner Appreciation Dessert

Tonight GRM will host a Christmas dessert gathering specifically for our prayer partners. Our ministry is heavily reliant upon the Lord's work through their prayers, and we desire to honor their contribution to our ministry!

Semester Completed

My seminary class, "Equipping Women to Embrace Their True Identity" just concluded, and here's what some of the students had to say:

"This class has been very encouraging & inspiring to appreciate my femininity on a new level. I now believe women are a sacred masterpiece that are unique and designed for special purposes; emotionally and spiritually."

"This class has impacted me significantly. During the course of the class, the Lord has healed certain areas in me needing repair! He's also helped me make some strides in honing my mission statement."

"This class was inspirational for me and gave me value and insight as to who I am as a woman in Christ."

"This is a good course for women's ministry. I learned how to help other women to embrace their true identity."

I'm thankful for all that the Lord did through this class to impact these women and those to whom they will minister in the future. We're discussing the possibility of offering this class outside of the Seminary setting during late Spring of 2009. Stay tuned for further details.

Romania 2009

Plans are formulating for our next trip to Romania in October of 2009! We will partner with I.N. Network again for a women's retreat, while Fred will train and minister to the pastors. We also plan to visit an orphanage. We will update you as plans become more concrete.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T16:58:00.003-07:00

Pslam 100:4, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!"
We have many reasons for thanksgiving and praise unto the Lord!

We thank Him for:

A new full time ministry Assistant!
An office space!
His provision through our supporters for all of our international trips in 2008!
Generous donations to fund our ministry!
A team of prayer partners to support us and our ministry!
Our health!
His steadfast love, mercy and grace upon us!

Our list of thanksgiving could continue infinitely. We would like to thank all of you for your financial support, prayers, and general support of Greater Reach Ministries this year! We wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving!

***Be sure to check out our latest podcast on the web-site entitled, "Prayer and Our Husbands". www.greaterreach.com

We're All Together!

2008-11-04T15:25:00.005-07:00

We're having an exciting week at Greater Reach! We're all together! Caye is visiting from Florida for the week, and the wheels are turning in our minds for future ministry plans.

Our newest Greater Reach employee, Alyssa Spitale, was included in this picture taken in mid-September at a dinner gathering. At that point, all three of us working together at Greater Reach wasn't even a thought. It's amazing what God can do in a month!

For more details on what's new with Caye, check out her blog at www.CayeSiller.blogspot.com.

Visit our website for the latest podcasts too: www.greaterreach.com.

Camel Ride in Egypt?

2008-11-04T15:22:00.003-07:00

Kristin's husband, Pastor Fred, recently took a camel ride during his latest excursion to Cairo, Egypt. He brought our new Sr. Pastor, Jamie Rasmussen, to visit some of their ministry sites.

Seminary Class Update

2008-10-30T14:18:00.006-07:00

We're at the mid-point of the semester and it's such a blessing to see what God is doing in the lives of the ladies in the class. Due to cultural and age differences, they are at such varied levels in their understanding of their identity in Christ. It's exciting to see them taking hold of these truths and making positive changes in their walk with God and others.

Here are a couple of comments that I received recently:

Louisa (a seminary doctoral student) - when asked, How do you like the class?

“Very much- I didn’t know that the burden I have carried, women all over have carried too. My culture (Hong Kong), Chinese, has put so much on women. Really, the whole world has hurt women deeply. I thought I was the only one. I can’t believe I have never learned this before.”

Berta (Director of Community Relations at Scottsdale Bible Church)

I wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your class! I am learning a lot that I will be able to apply in my ministry.

New Events on the Calendar

2008-10-10T12:12:00.008-07:00

Greetings Friends!

Just checking in to let you know that we've added a number of new speaking events to the GRM calendar for the coming months and 2009!

Visit our website for more information about where we'll be speaking.

Please be praying for each event and we hope to see you at one or more of them.

Class is in Session

2008-09-09T16:39:00.003-07:00

I can’t believe another month has gone by since my last update! I had some much needed vacation time in August, which was wonderful. The class I am teaching at Phoenix Seminary, “Equipping Women to Embrace Their True Identity”, is now underway. We had our first meeting last night, and I have to tell you, I am excited! The women are eager to learn how to equip women to embrace their God given identity!

And we at Greater Reach are exploring a new opportunity that has come our way. We would love for you to pray with us for God’s wisdom as we consider a two minute-three times a week radio program. This opportunity could really help us get the word out about our ministry.

George Barna said, “Mission gives your life purpose, vision gives your life direction, values gives your life character”. I keep that quote on my desk so I can read it regularly. It helps to keep me focused. And I think about what I am doing with Greater Reach in this context: What is our mission? What is our vision? Are we as a staff pursuing godly character? I believe so.

Greater Reach is grounded in the Word of God: our mission is to help women find value, significance, and identity in Christ, equip them to develop their gifts and empower them to engage in fruitful ministry. Our vision is clear: to reach out across the world to lift up women and touch them with a message of hope that inspires and equips them to be all that God made them to be. And we at GRM believe in Christian accountability in order to help us to stay on track, both personally and with regard to the ministry. It always has to be “being” before “doing”. We must be the people of God before we do the work of God.

Thanks for praying for us!

Equipping Women to Embrace Their True Identity

2008-08-07T15:38:00.002-07:00

Hello! Having recovered from my latest trip, the Tanzania, Africa adventure, I am now focused again on my writing project. The book I am working on coordinates perfectly with a class I will be teaching at Phoenix Seminary this fall. The class starts Monday (6-8 PM), September 8th and runs for 14 weeks.

As someone who has worked with and ministered to women for many years (try 30!) I have personally observed a problem that is common among them: they are often confused, abused and denied the truth about who they really are. In this course (and in my book) students will explore some historical, cultural and religious reasons why, and develop a biblical worldview of individual personhood that includes identity, gifts, and a call to stewardship.

Finally students will learn significant life principles related to identity that they can apply and teach others. This class will provide strong encourgement to find and invest one's gifts, all for the cause of Christ. Consider joining me! You can register online through Phoenix Seminary: http://www.phoenixseminary.org/

Mission Accomplished!

2008-07-31T16:11:00.009-07:00

We’re home again! After a full two days of travel to and from Tanzania we’re still a little jet-lagged and tired, but otherwise recovering well from the trip.
We’re pleased to report - Mission Accomplished!! It was a very busy and tiring 2 weeks, but extremely rewarding.

We spent time at two schools that our church built, one in Mairowa and one in Kondoa, Tanzania. The school in Kondoa looks great! The children there have been at the school for almost two years. An added bonus (that was a benefit to us) was that their English skills were very good. The children recently took academic assessment tests and the 1st graders at the Kondoa Integrity School (KIS) tested equivalent to 3rd graders at other local schools.

We had such an amazing time with the staff and students at the schools. When you see how difficult life is for these kids and then see them at school, laughing and learning with big smiles on their faces, it’s a great reminder of why we’re doing this. These children LOVE their school! In fact, the Headmaster told me that he has to shoo them off the school grounds at the end of the day because they hate to leave. What a blessing to know that the schools are enriching their lives so much.

Most of the people we visited come from the Maasai Tribe. You can learn more about them here. While there we also drove along rutted dirt roads to visit many families in their homes. The traditional Maasai dwellings (called bomas) are small dark structures, built in a dome shape like an igloo, but made primarily of mud. You can see a couple of examples below. In one of our visits a family from our church was sharing their story with one of the single mothers when asked how she could “believe” too. They were able to share the Good News with her and she prayed to receive Christ!! Wow! What a thrill that across the cultural lines and differences, they were able to share the hope of the gospel with this precious woman.

We also had the privilege of visiting and participating in an African church service. My husband, Fred preached, the kids presented a play and 3 team members shared their testimonies. It was a joy to be able to spend time in worship together with them as well.

Another gift was sharing our journey first-hand with two of our board members who came along as well. Rosanne Burck and Barbara Uhlmann chose to enjoy the adventure with their older grandsons. It was an experience that they’ll never forget and will always share as a dear family memory.

People often think that when they take a short-term mission trip, they are going to serve and minister to others. This is true-they are and they do. What they don’t realize, but discover when they are on the trip, is that they are the ones that are served and ministered to by the people they meet. God uses these new friends in faraway places to bless our lives. This trip was no exception: the Tanzanians touched our hearts and our lives.

Thank you so much to all who supported, encouraged and prayed for our trip. As always, the Lord was with us every step of the way. You are a gift to us!

New Website Launched!!!

2008-07-22T08:22:00.002-07:00

We're excited to announce that our new website has launched! Please be sure to bookmark it and come to visit often to find out about our latest news, events and travels.

www.GreaterReach.com

See you there!

Ministering in Tanzania

2008-07-09T14:15:00.003-07:00

My husband and I are leading a group of ministry friends and their families to Tanzania this month to visit the village our church has adopted and the school we are developing in another small community. This two week long trip will help us in developing relationships with the people of Mairowa and Kondoa: primarily, the many fatherless children we feed and help to educate, the widows we help and encourage, and the women without husbands who are raising children alone.

Two board members of Greater Reach are going with us: Rosanne Burck, our Board Chairperson, is traveling with her grandson, Jordan, and Barbara Uhlmann, our Board Treasurer, is traveling with her two grandsons Mark and Andy Smith. These two women have been instrumental in the development of Greater Reach and Fred and I are delighted that they, along with their families, have such ministry hearts.

Please pray for them, us and the entire team as we seek to bring the love of Christ to this struggling part of the world.

Insights from the Jordan Team

2008-06-24T11:22:00.003-07:00

When my husband Mark and I were invited to join Fred and Kristin and Greater Reach Ministries to journey to Jordan, we were both initially apprehensive and in awe of the door that God had opened for us…Why us, Lord?? What do we have to offer to this ministry, how could we possibly be of use to You there??

While most visitors go to Jordan for the sole purpose of seeing the magnificent rock-cut city of Petra, which is truly a feast for the eyes…or the amazing Biblical sites, they may miss the opportunity to experience Jordan’s greatest natural resource… it’s incredibly gracious and hospitable people…never have we experienced such an outpouring of love and warmth!!

We know the Lord went before us, clearing away any obstacles and preparing our hearts and minds and those of the attendees. We were deeply touched by the commitment these couples had to the instruction and the enthusiasm they had to share it with others! It was our joy to be there to share and encourage them. I think we learned more from their open hearts!!

Teaming up with AWT~ Arab Women Today, in a predominantly Muslim, male-dominated society, the concepts taught (conflict resolution, stress management and communication) provided the attendees with new insights, totally unfamiliar to their culture. Only upon our arrival in Heaven will we know the outcome of how our love and support during these seminars will further the message of who God wants us to be and how we are to love and respect one another.

The work being done by both of these ministries is transforming the lives of Arab women! Greater Reach Ministry truly lived up to their name, vision and mission statement!

Lives changed. Hearts blessed. Believers encouraged...

2008-06-16T13:10:00.005-07:00

...as we travelled to the country of Jordan, a Muslim country known for its hospitality, biblical sites, and Petra. We conducted three seminars in three different communities over a two week period in mid-May.

Greater Reach Ministries taught seminars for at least five different church denominations: Baptist, Nazarene, Evangelical Free, Pentecostal, and Alliance
Topics covered: conflict resolution, communication, developing intimacy in marriage, motivation, seasons of a woman’s/man’s life, stress management
Seminars presented in three different cities to 100’s of people
Amman, Husn, and Zarqa were conference targets.

A sampling of comments from those who attended these meetings:

o “This is the first time we have ever learned how to grow deep in our marriage and the first time these topics have ever been taught in our church! Thank you!”

o “The stress management session helped me to realize that I do have a lot of different things causing stress, and it’s not always my spouse’s fault. I am sorry for blaming him for everything”

o “This has changed my life!”

o One husband said, “I realize I have been too selfish. I will start now to be more selfless, even saying yes now to a small request my wife made which I had said no to before.”

o Another woman said, “This conference was life-changing. My husband and I have made a commitment to change our life-style. The time here has shown me that we need to spend time together to develop our spiritual intimacy as a couple.”

Goals Reached: The goal of uplifting women in the Middle East, who are limited in many ways and not as respected as men, was achieved.

Women and men were equipped and encouraged in their walk with God and in their marriages. Walls were broken down and hurts were addressed.

The time in Jordan was well-spent:it was God-inspired and God-led.

We're home!

2008-05-29T15:29:00.008-07:00

What a ministry trip we had in Amman, Jordan! Our conferences went so well, we can do nothing but thank God for all the answers to prayer, for all the many ways every aspect of our time was covered, protected and God-led. We are grateful!

We were blessed with good health, rest and safety. God wonderfully protected us in every way! Crossing the border between Jordan and Israel is very difficult, yet we passed through safely. International travel can be exhausting, yet each day we awoke rested and ready to go! Our flight connections were smooth and stress-free. What a blessing that was!

We asked that God would raise up visionary leaders to work alongside GRM: we have deepened our relationship with Arab Woman Today, especially our friend Ruba, a visionary leader. She and I look forward to developing more ministries together in the future. She would love for us to come back soon!

We also had a two-day side trip to Nazareth to visit the family of one of our good friends with Christar, which was also a special treat. To walk where Jesus walked in both these countries is such a privilege and thrill. I am always struck by how quickly time goes by when I am there. Two thousand years is nothing in light of eternity, and here we were, teaching God’s Word near where Christ was teaching not so long ago.

Photos and more will be coming shortly so be sure to come back and visit again soon!

Quick update from Jordan

2008-05-13T14:22:00.010-07:00

It has been a busy week!

We are now getting a 5 hour breather and then off we go again tomorrow.

Things have gone really well in our first days here! We teach again tomorrow night and then all day Friday, plus lots of individual meetings.

It's been cold in Amman and hot in Nazareth, where we were yesterday and today.

Thanks everyone for your encouragement.

God is changing lives and answering prayers!

Our Trip to Jordan

2008-04-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it won't be long now. My husband, myself and another ministry couple are leaving for Amman, Jordan this coming weekend. I already told you a little about this upcoming trip in an earlier posting, but I wanted to mention it again so you will pray for us that God's Word would be an encouragement to all we meet with. I am excited for this opportunity to partner with Arab Woman Today! I love the Jordanian people and especially Arab Woman Today! The Greater Reach team has been hard at work preparing for this conference, and we stand on tip toe to see what God will do through us.

Irene Marco has a word for you

2008-04-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

In this picture: Irene Marco to the left, Kristin Beasley in the middle,
and Caye Siller to the right.

I met Kristin when my husband was in seminary and she was the Dean of Women there. She helped me see who I was in God's eyes and that he had a call on my life. God's call is so much more than being a wife or mother, though those two roles are really important and strategic. But Kristin's ministry has caused me to really seek God's path for my whole life, helping we to look further out instead of just focusing on my current tasks and trials.My friend Kristin is rock solid in God's Word and has a gift to speak living truth into a situation. She is a person that sees the importance of accountability and community. I have watched her as the wife of successful pastor navigate well the ups and downs of ministry life. And no matter how difficult her life experiences have been in the past, she has allowed God to use them to build her into the woman he wants her to be.

Finally, she and Greater Reach gave me a global perspective on God's plan and role for women. Before I met Kristin I never really thought about other women in the world and the struggles and issues they face. If you want to move past the typical women's ministry and become empowered to reach for God's best then this is the ministry for you!

A Priceless Gift by Caye Siller

2008-03-18T14:49:00.000-07:00

I am visiting from Florida with the Greater Reach team and I was inspired to write this:

I remember, as a child, receiving a gift from a neighbor. Her name was Mrs. Clapper (funny name, I know! :)). One day she showed me a gold necklace that was in her jewelry box. I was so enamored with it; it was so shiny! Even though I didn't know how valuable it was, and it was very valuable, she gave it to me, and I took it home. My Mom told me, "It's too expensive a gift, you need to give it back." As a child, I didn't understand. I thought, "it's my gift, why should I give it back?" The years have passed, but there is still a part of me as a grown woman, that stuggles to know that I am valuable enough to be given a priceless gift. It's not because of Mrs. Clapper's necklace but because of a world that seems to scream, "you're not good enough!" The good news is that I, you, we all are children of God, and our worth is much greater than a gold necklace-we are priceless to God! "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

This is what Greater Reach wants you to know: you are a gift from God and have gifts and talents that He wants to see you invest in Kingdom work! Blessings, Kristin

Together - we're bringing hope, training and opportunity

2008-03-05T17:09:00.000-07:00

On May 9 & 10, 2008, Kristin Beasley will be plenary speaker at a marriage conference hosted by Arab Woman Today Ministries. The presentations will be on topics that many Arab women have identified as areas in which they need biblically based help.

Presentations will cover the following topics:

Conflict Resolution
Communication Issues
Stress Management
Motivation
Handling Difficult People

The core of each message will be that women are special in God's eyes, they have gifts that can be used to uplift the body of Christ, and are uniquely positioned to share their faith and impact lives.

The Budget
The Greater Reach Ministries outreach in Jordan is the first outreach of this new ministry. The costs associated with this ministry trip include travel, accommodations, training material, and the costs associated with ministry administration and growth. The impact of this outreach will be huge. It will also lay the ground work for future Greater Reach Ministries work in the Middle East. It you would like to contribute financially send us an email to Kristin@greaterreach.com or if you simply want more information, sign up for our mailing list on the right hand column. and you will receive the Greater Reach Newsletter.

There is a need

2008-02-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

It is apparent to us that there is a universal need for women to be affirmed in their identity. Women have often been abused and denied the truth about who they are. They need help to understand their identity, to identify their gifting and to unleash their gifts to impact the world for the kingdom of God.

“We exist because there is a universal need for women to know God’s love, their priceless value, unique design, and to acquire tools to fulfill their purpose.”

Did you know?

2008-02-13T10:33:00.003-07:00

The United States

Women in the Unites States have the vote.

Women in the United States have opportunity for education.

Women in the United States have more freedom than most women in the world.

But American women often do not feel valued, are confused about who they are, and long for lives that count for eternity.

Women in the US are confused. They think their worth is in their role: as career woman, homemaker, or sex symbol. But God created them in His image.

God wants these women to know who they are in Him – woman is created in His image (Genesis 1:27)

Link: The American woman has her own identity issues

Did you know?

2008-02-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

The Middle East

There are 22 Countries in the Arab world. 166 million women live there. Most Arab women do not go to school or work. Consequently about 60% of Arab women cannot read or write. Most Arab women don't go to school or work. They are often poor and unable to support themselves and their children. They often do not have the opportunity to even choose their husband. In most cases he is chosen by the young woman’s parents. And men have the legal right to abuse their wives.

22 Arab countries with 166 million women. 60% of them cannot read and write, but: God created them in His image.

God wants these women to know who they are in Him – woman created in His image (Genesis 1:27)
As Christ’s ambassadors we want to be His voice reaching out to the voiceless.

Did you know?

2008-02-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

Eastern Europe

After 40 years of communism, there is a great lack of Christian, moral influence. One specific area of Romanian society in which this is most evident is the status of women in society. In both the public arena and the home, women are traditionally looked upon as “second class citizens”, at best. While the evangelical church has recognized this and is attempting to address it, there is much to be done before significant change will be seen.

In Post Communist countries we find that women’s worth is denigrated, but: God created them in His image.

God wants these women to know who they are in Him – woman is created in His image (Genesis 1:27)

As Christ’s ambassadors we want to be His voice reaching out to the voiceless.

The Open House Event

2008-01-31T17:02:00.000-07:00

Sunday the 13th of January the Uhlmann Family offices hosted an Open House Event. The event was a great success! All the ministries (Uhlmann Family Offices; Greater Reach Ministries; AssociationMarriageFamilyMinistries; TrueFaced Leadership Catalyst, Inc. StrongFamilies; TCI Holdings, Inc. Wide Open Films and Leadership In Fellowship Together) were able to share the heart of their work with invited guests. For Greater Reach this meant a lot of talking about who we are. We had a lot of people visiting our office, and were able to hand out our new brochure and business cards. This gave us a good start to make known our ministry, as we are heading into more serious work on fund raising. We just want to express our gratitude towards those who have expressed their support in any way. You are truly a great encouragement to us - knowing that you believe in our vision to reach out to women.

Our New Ministry

2008-01-09T15:03:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to be launching a new ministry that will encourage and empower you to make a contribution for the Lord! This is an exciting time for women in ministry. We have opportunities as never before to impact women around the world. Join with me and get involved impacting your world for Christ!

On the right: Dr. Beasley, her Romanian partner, Daniela Pribac, and a woman we reached out to from a village in the Carpathian Mountains.

Greater Reach Ministres - Our Vision

2007-11-21T13:37:00.000-07:00

Greater Reach Ministries' Vision: Provide Real life Teaching coupled with Real Life Tools to make a Real Impact in the lives of women around the world.

Our Vision is realized through:

Teaching

Listen: “Diamonds in the Rough” is a series of three minute daily nuggets that can help women of all ages and stages of life. Everyone needs a reminder of what God has in store for them today.
Watch: “Coffee, Anyone?” is a video conference you can watch whether alone at your computer or with a group of women for a study. Did you ever wish you could look across from someone and ask the tough questions only another woman could understand? “Coffee, Anyone?” is a weekly video download of real women asking real questions.
Learn: Classes taught at Phoenix Seminary related to the Women’s Studies Program.

Mentoring

Personal mentoring by Dr. Beasley, or one of the Greater Reach team, is designed to help women discover their gifts and develop a personal ministry profile.

International Ministry

Leadership training: Through conferences, retreats and seminary class instruction in Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
Mentoring: Through long-term relationships with international women in leadership.

Writing

Dr. Beasley`s book on a woman’s value, “The Woman in the Mirror,” will be coming out soon.